Ground effect craft

ABSTRACT

A ground effect craft having a ground effect wing, a plurality of sponsons, and a control system is disclosed. The ground effect wing may include a fore ground effect wing and an aft ground effect wing. The ground effect wing may generate a stabilizing moment on at least one sponson to stabilize the ground effect craft. The plurality of sponsons may be dynamically coupled to the body. The plurality of sponsons may be dynamically coupled to each other. The dynamic coupling may permit the sponsons to move relatively independent of the body and each other, thereby stabilizing the ground effect craft. The ground effect craft may include a stabilizing wing.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.17/086,599, filed Nov. 2, 2020, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/933,112, filed on Nov. 8, 2019,which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to ground effect craft,including apparatus, systems, and methods for stabilizing such groundeffect craft.

BACKGROUND

A ground effect craft traveling over a planetary surface, such as water,snow, ice, or land, generally uses air trapped beneath the wing toincrease a lifting force on the craft, unlike traditional aircraft infree flight where the air underneath a wing away from the planetarysurface is not bounded and therefore provides less lift. A ground effectwing takes advantage of a surface boundary below the wing that dampenswingtip vortices, thereby reducing the drag otherwise caused by thewingtip vortices when the aircraft is away from the planetary surface.As a result, the ground effect wing increases lift and reduces drag.

When ground effect craft move at high speeds along a planetary surface,such as water, an induced pitching moment on planing surfaces rigidlycoupled to an aerodynamic surface will cause increased angles of attack.An increased angle of attack and increase in height will cause the forceof the air under the wing to move towards the front of the craft. Thisforward movement of this center of aerodynamic pressure results in anunstable condition which can cause the craft to overturn in a dangerousand destructive failure mode known as a “blow over.”

Environmental factors can also increase the instability of ground effectcraft. Because of a ground effect craft's proximity to the planetarysurface, any aerodynamic or planetary surface disturbance may causedifferent parts of the craft to contact the planetary surface with greatforce. Such contact may result in structural damage and may cause theground effect craft to become unstable. One example of suchenvironmental factors applying forces to a craft travelling over or upona planetary surface are sea swells. A sea swell that contacts one partof the craft before the other can cause the craft to pitch upwards andalso roll sideways, creating instability, which can lead to the craftturning over.

Instabilities of watercraft and ground effect craft cause numerousfailures each year, endangering passengers and crew. Therefore, there isa need to improve stability of watercraft and ground effect craft.

SUMMARY

An exemplary aspect of this disclosure relates to a method ofstabilizing a ground effect craft, the method including generating liftvia a first lift surface connected to a body structure of a groundeffect craft; stabilizing the ground effect craft via dynamic coupling aplurality of sponsons to the body structure; and stabilizing the groundeffect craft via a stabilizing surface coupled to the body structure.According to some embodiments, the first lift surface may include afirst ground effect wing.

According to some embodiments, the step of stabilizing the ground effectcraft via dynamic coupling of a plurality of sponsons to the bodystructure may include connecting the ground effect wing to a sponson inthe plurality of sponsons via a hinge, bearing, pivot, and/or joint(such as a ball joint) connection. According to some embodiments, thestep of stabilizing the ground effect craft via dynamic coupling of theplurality of sponsons to the body structure may include connecting thebody to a sponson in the plurality of sponsons via a control link and ahinge, bearing, pivot, and/or joint (such as a ball joint) connection.According to some embodiments, the step of stabilizing the ground effectcraft via dynamic coupling of the plurality of sponsons to the bodystructure may include connecting the body to a sponson in the pluralityof sponsons via a spring, a dampener, and/or a shock.

An aspect of this disclosure relates to a ground effect craft having aplurality of sponsons, wherein a first sponson and a second sponson inthe plurality of sponsons are dynamically connected to each other; abody dynamically connected to the plurality of sponsons via a pluralityof control links; and a first ground effect wing connected to the body.

According to some embodiments, the ground effect craft may further afirst propulsion device connected to the first sponson and a secondpropulsion device connected to a second sponson.

According to some embodiments, the ground effect craft may include adynamic seal, the dynamic seal configured to maintain a ground effectlifting force during movement of at least one of the first sponson andthe second sponson. According to some embodiments, the ground effectcraft may include the dynamic seal may include an endplate of the firstground effect wing substantially adjacent to a first surface of thefirst sponson and a second surface of the second sponson. According tosome embodiments, the dynamic seal may include an extendable endplate ofthe first ground effect wing configured to extend to be substantiallyadjacent to at least one of the first sponson and the second sponson.According to some embodiments, the dynamic seal may include at least oneof a pneumatically inflated seal and a preformed seal. According to someembodiments, the dynamic seal may include a membrane connected to theground effect wing and a sponson in the plurality of sponsons.

According to some embodiments, the ground effect wing may include aflexible membrane and a spar, and wherein the membrane may be connectedto the spar.

According to some embodiments, the ground effect craft may include adynamic seal configured to allow movement of the first sponson relativeto the body and generate a lifting force during movement of the firstsponson.

According to some embodiments, the first ground effect wing may includea flap configured to move relative to the first ground effect wing andconfigured to control a ground effect lift force on the ground effectcraft.

According to some embodiments, the ground effect craft may includelongitudinal and lateral reinforcing members configured to restrainmovement of a flap surface when the flap is deflected. According to someembodiments, the flap may be configured to deflect with aerodynamicpressure and/or hydrodynamic impacts.

According to some embodiments, the ground effect wing may include amid-flap configured to extend from the ground effect wing between aleading edge and a trailing edge.

According to some embodiments, the ground effect craft may include asecond ground effect wing dynamically connected to at least one sponsonin the plurality of sponsons. According to some embodiments, the secondground effect wing may include a control arm connected to at least onesponson in the plurality of sponsons.

According to some embodiments, the ground effect craft may include asecond ground effect wing dynamically sealed with at least one sponsonin the plurality of sponsons. According to some embodiments, the secondground effect wing may include a plurality of overlapping segmentsconfigured to permit deflection of at least one segment of theoverlapping segments without transmitting the movement to at least oneother segment of the overlapping segments. According to someembodiments, the second ground effect wing may include the flapconfigured to move relative to the second ground effect wing andconfigured to control a ground effect lifting force on the sponsons.

According to some embodiments, the ground effect craft may include astabilizing wing connected to the body. According to some embodiments,the stabilizing wing may include an anhedral wing.

According to some embodiments, the stabilizing wing may include areverse delta wing. According to some embodiments, the stabilizing wingmay include at least one of an elevator, a flap, an aileron, a rudder,an ailevator, an ailevon, a flaperon, a split flap, a spoiler, or asplit spoiler.

According to some embodiments, the ground effect craft may include alinkage system configured to permit at least two sponsons in theplurality of sponsons to move substantially relative to each other andrelative to the body. According to some embodiments, the linkage systemmay include a flexible beam spanning at least two sponsons in theplurality of sponsons and connected to the body. According to someembodiments, the linkage system may include a spar of the ground effectwing, wherein the spar dynamically connects two sponsons in theplurality of sponsons. According to some embodiments, the linkage systemmay include at least one control link including at least one ball jointat a point of connection. According to some embodiments, the linkagesystem may include a frame spanning at least two sponsons in theplurality of sponsons, the frame being dynamically connected to at leastone sponson in the plurality of sponsons via a spring. According to someembodiments, the frame may be dynamically connected to at least one ofthe plurality of sponsons via a dampener.

According to another aspect of this disclosure, a ground effect craftmay include a body; a sponson; a suspension system configured todynamically couple the sponson to the body; a primary lift surfaceconnected to the body and configured to generate a first ground effectlifting force; and a stabilizing surface coupled to the body.

According to some embodiments, the ground effect craft may include asecondary lift surface dynamically connected to the sponson andconfigured to generate a second ground effect lifting force.

According to another aspect of this disclosure, a ground effect craftmay include a body section including a first ground effect wing, asecond ground effect wing, a stabilizing wing, and a tail surface;wherein the first ground effect wing includes a first lift-generatingsurface and a first control surface; wherein the second ground effectwing includes a second lift-generating surface and a second controlsurface; a first sponson dynamically coupled to the body section via afirst control link; a second sponson dynamically coupled to the bodysection via a second control link; a third control link dynamicallycoupling the first sponson to the second sponson; and a third groundeffect wing dynamically coupled to the first sponson and the secondsponson. According to some embodiments, the third ground effect wingbeing configured to generate a stabilizing moment on the sponsons whenangle of attack of the body is increased. According to some embodiments,the first sponson and the second sponson are configured to move relativeto the body, such that the movement of the first sponson may besubstantially independent of the movement of the second sponson.

According to another aspect of this disclosure, a ground effect craftmay include a fuselage including a first ground effect surface and asecond ground effect surface, the first ground effect surface includinga first ground effect wing, the second ground effect wing including asecond wing surface; a first sponson dynamically coupled to thefuselage; a second sponson dynamically coupled to the fuselage; and acontrol link configured to dynamically couple the first sponson to thesecond sponson. According to some embodiments, the ground effect craftmay include a third ground effect surface dynamically coupled to thecontrol link. According to some embodiments, the fuselage further mayinclude at least one stabilizing wing. According to some embodiments,the at least one stabilizing wing being statically coupled to thefuselage.

According to some embodiments, the dynamic coupling of the first sponsonto the body and the second sponson to the body may be configured suchthat the first sponson and the second sponson move independently of thefuselage and each other. According to some embodiments, the firstsponson may be dynamically coupled to the fuselage by a plurality ofcontrol arms and the second sponson may be dynamically coupled to thefuselage by a plurality of control arms. According to some embodiments,the control link may be dynamically coupled to the first sponson and thesecond sponson by a plurality of ball joints. According to someembodiments, the first sponson and the second sponson are configured toretract toward the fuselage. According to some embodiments, the firstsponson may be dynamically connected to the first ground effect surfaceand the second sponson may be dynamically connected to the second groundeffect surface.

According to some embodiments, the first ground effect wing may comprisea rigid or semi-rigid surface. According to some embodiments, the firstground effect wing may comprise a flexible or semi-flexible, elastic ornon-elastic membrane surface. According to some embodiments, themembrane may act against a spar of the ground effect wing to generatelift. According to some embodiments, the first ground effect wing maycomprise a combination of solid and membrane surfaces.

The stabilizing surface may be configured to counteract an unstablemoment of the ground effect craft. The plurality of sponsons areconfigured to move relative to the body structure and each other,wherein the first lift surface creates lift independent of the movementof the plurality of sponsons. The body structure may be configured to belifted by the first ground effect wing. According to some embodiments,the body structure may include canard wings configured to generate liftto and/or control body movement. The body structure may be configured tomaintain course and direction independent of the movement of theplurality of sponsons in response to a variation in a planetary surfaceor forces acting on one or more of the sponsons.

According to some embodiments, the method may further include generatinglift via a second lift surface dynamically coupled to the plurality ofsponsons. According to some embodiments, the second lift surface mayinclude a second ground effect wing. According to some embodiments, thesecond lift surface may be configured to provide lift to the pluralityof sponsons and reduce hydrodynamic drag by lifting at least one sponsonin the plurality of sponsons. According to some embodiments, the firstlift surface may be configured to restrict or direct air toward thesecond lift surface.

According to some embodiments, the second ground effect wing maycomprise a rigid or semi-rigid surface. According to some embodiments,the second ground effect wing may comprise a flexible or semi-flexible,elastic or non-elastic membrane surface. According to some embodiments,the membrane may act against a spar of the second ground effect wing togenerate lift. According to some embodiments, the second ground effectwing may comprise a combination of solid and membrane surfaces.

An aspect of the disclosure relates to a method of stabilizing a groundeffect craft, the method including dynamically coupling a plurality ofsponsons to a body structure of the ground effect craft; generating afirst lifting force via a first ground effect wing surface coupled tothe body structure; stabilizing the body structure via a control systemdynamically coupled between the plurality of sponsons; generating asecond lifting force via the second ground effect wing surface; anddeflecting a first sponson in the plurality of sponsons in response to aforce imparted by a planetary surface, wherein the first sponson isconfigured to deflect independent of a second sponson in the pluralityof sponsons in response to the force. The first lifting force may beconfigured to lift the body to reduce drag. The first lifting force maybe configured to lift the body to stabilize the ground effect craft. Insome embodiments, an angle of incidence of the first ground effect wingmay be adjusted to change the center of pressure. The control link maybe configured to rotate at a connection. The control link may beconfigured to control the movement of the first sponson relative to themovement of the second sponson and to the body structure. In someembodiments, the second ground effect wing surface may be substantiallyrearward of the first ground effect wing. In some embodiments, an angleof a second ground effect flap of the second ground effect wing may beadjusted for varying desired lift, obstacle clearance, docking, weightdistribution, or weight transfer. The second ground effect wing may beconfigured to generate the second lifting force at a location aft of acenter of gravity of the sponsons. The second ground effect wing may beconfigured to generate the second lifting force to adjust the pitch ofthe plurality of sponsons. The second lifting force may be configured tocounteract an unstable moment of the ground effect craft. The secondlifting force may be configured to lift the plurality of sponsons andreduce hydrodynamic drag.

Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a method of stabilizing aflying body including stabilizing the flying body via a control assemblydynamically coupled between a plurality of sponsons, generating lift viaa ground effect wing connected to the body, wherein the control assemblyincludes a fore control link dynamically connected to the plurality ofsponsons and the flying body and a rear control link dynamicallyconnected to a first sponson in the plurality of sponsons and a secondsponson in the plurality of sponsons. The first sponson and the secondsponson may be configured to move independent of the flying body andeach other when a surface variation affects a desired path of at leastone sponson in the plurality of sponsons. In some embodiments, theplurality of sponsons may be configured to retract towards the flyingbody. The ground effect wing may be configured to lift the flying bodywhen the flying body transitions between a takeoff mode and a flyingmode. The plurality of sponsons may be configured to absorb a landingimpact when the flying body transitions between the flying mode and alanding mode.

Another aspect relates to a ground effect craft configured to create anair cushion beneath the craft when the ground effect craft issubstantially stationary. The ground effect craft may include a body, aground effect wing, a stabilizing wing, and a plurality of planingsurfaces. The air cushion may include a skirt configured to surround anair cushion when the craft is in motion. The skirt may be an inflatableskirt. The skirt may be configured to provide a seal configured toentrap air under the ground effect wing when the ground effect craft isin motion. The entrapped air may be pressurized to lift the groundeffect craft. The ground effect wing may include a finger extendingdownwards from the ground effect wing to entrap air in an air chamber.The finger may include an inflation compartment. The air chamber may beenclosed or partially enclosed by a plurality of fingers that seal witheach other, the ground effect wing, and/or the sponsons. In someembodiments, the ground effect craft may include a fan configured toincrease the pressure within the air chamber between the inflatablefingers. The fingers may be configured to retract when the ground effectwing is at an airspeed sufficient to provide lift.

In some embodiments, a ground effect craft may include a plurality ofsponsons, a body, and a ground effect wing. The ground effect craft maybe configured to move along a planetary surface. The plurality ofsponsons may include a first sponson and a second sponson. The firstsponson and the second sponson may be dynamically connected to eachother. The ground effect craft may be propelled by a propulsion deviceconnected to a sponson in the plurality of sponsons. The plurality ofsponsons may be dynamically connected to each other. The body may bedynamically connected to each sponson in the plurality of sponsons via acontrol system. The control system may include a plurality of controllinks. In some embodiments, the control links may flex, thereby actingas dampeners and/or springs. In some embodiments, the control links mayinclude a flexible beam. A first end of the flexible beam may beconnected to a first sponson in the plurality of sponsons. A second endof the flexible beam may be connected to the body. In some embodiments,the control links may be positioned forward of a center of gravity ofthe body.

The ground effect wing may be configured to be connected to the body. Insome embodiments, the ground effect wing may be coupled in heave withthe body. In some embodiments, the ground effect wing may be coupled inpitch with the body. In some embodiments, lift created by the groundeffect wing may lift the weight of the body.

Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a ground effect craftincluding a first ground effect wing and a second ground effect wing.The ground effect craft may include a body, a plurality of sponsons, thefirst ground effect wing, and the second ground effect wing. In someembodiments, the ground effect craft may include a third ground effectwing. In some embodiments, the third ground effect wing may besubstantially rearward of the first ground effect wing and the secondground effect wing. The first ground effect wing and the second groundeffect wing may be configured to restrict or direct air to the thirdground effect wing. In some embodiments, the third ground effect wingmay be rearward of the center of gravity of the sponsons. The thirdground effect wing may be configured to provide lift to an aft portionof the ground effect craft. The third ground effect wing may beconfigured to counteract an unstable moment on the first ground effectwing or the second ground effect wing. The third ground effect wing maybe configured to produce additional lift from air directed towards thethird ground effect wing when the first ground effect wing and/or thesecond ground effect wing pivot relative to at least one sponson. Thethird ground effect wing may be configured to produce additional liftfrom air directed towards the third ground effect wing when the flaps ofthe first ground effect wing and/or the second ground effect wingdeflect either by actuator and/or increased aerodynamically inducedpressure acting upon the flaps and/or flap reinforcing members. In someembodiments, one or more of the ground effect wings may be configured togenerate a stabilizing moment on one or more sponsons when an angle ofattack of the body is increased.

In some embodiments, the ground effect craft may have folding features.For example, a first ground effect wing may be substantially foldableabout a first pivot point. In some embodiments, the first ground effectwing may fold about the first pivot point to narrow the width of theground effect craft. In some embodiments, a second ground effect wingmay be substantially foldable about a second pivot point. In someembodiments, the second ground effect wing may fold about the secondpivot point to narrow the width of the of the ground effect craft. Thestabilizing wing may be substantially foldable about a third pivotpoint. In some embodiments, plurality of sponsons may be configured torotate underneath the body. In some embodiments, the plurality ofsponsons may retract towards the body.

Another aspect relates to a body of a ground effect craft. The groundeffect craft may include a body. In some embodiments, the body mayinclude a cockpit, a fuselage, a storage space, a cabin, and/or cargodoors. The body may include a bow door configured to open forwardly. Insome embodiments, the body may include a buoyant sponson or incorporatea sponson in a hull of the body. In some embodiments, the body mayinclude an actuator configured to lift the body relative to thesponsons. In some embodiments, such actuators may be controlled byautomatic control systems. In some embodiments, the body may include afore ground effect wing. In some embodiments, the body may include aplaning surface. In some embodiments, the body may include a restingsurface configured to rest on an aft control link, for example, when theground effect craft is stationary or moving at lower velocities.According to some embodiments, the resting surface may include one ormore shock absorption materials or devices. In some embodiments, theshock absorption materials or devices may be configured to absorb forcesimparted from the aft control link to the body or from the body to theaft control link.

Another aspect relates to a body, a stabilizing wing, and a plurality ofsponsons. The stabilizing wing may include a surface configured to reston a spar of the aft ground effect wing. The stabilizing wing mayinclude a surface configured to rest on a control link. The sponsons mayinclude a vertical stabilizing wing. The stabilizing wing may include abottom surface configured to rest on a top of the vertical stabilizingwing. The resting surface of the stabilizing wing may include shockabsorption materials or devices. An aft ground effect spar and/or alinkage and/or sponson vertical stabilizing wing may include shockabsorption materials or devices. The stabilizing wing may be dynamicallyconnected to the plurality of sponsons via the body by (for example) aspring system. The stabilizing wing may be dynamically connected to theplurality of sponsons via the body by (for example) a dampening system.The stabilizing wing may comprise a rigid, semi-rigid, flexible, orsemi-flexible surface. In some embodiments, the stabilizing wing maycomprise one or more membrane surfaces. The second ground effect wingmay comprise a flexible or semi-flexible, elastic or non-elasticmembrane surface. The membrane may act against a fixed or non-fixed sparsystem. In some embodiments, the stabilizing wing may comprise acombination of solid and membrane surfaces. According to someembodiments, a spar of the stabilizing wing may connect to the body viaa ball joint and/or a spring joint thereby allowing the stabilizing wingto deflect rather than create a roll moment on the body. In someembodiments, the stabilizing wing may be configured to generate astabilizing moment on one or more sponsons when an angle of attack ofthe body is increased.

Another aspect relates to a sponson of a ground effect craft. In someembodiments, the sponson may have a lateral profile that minimizes thefore lateral surface area and maximizes the aft lateral surface area,thereby providing the center of lateral resistance of the sponson isproximate to the center of gravity of the sponson. In some embodiments,the sponson may have variable deadrise. In some embodiments, the sponsonmay include a strake. In some embodiments, the sponson may include atransverse step. In some embodiments, the sponson may include alongitudinal step. In some embodiments, the sponson may include a chine.In some embodiments, the bottom of the sponson may include a planingsurface or a semi-planing surface. In some embodiments, the bottom ofthe sponson may be a displacement surface. In some embodiments, thesponson may include hydrodynamic and/or aerodynamic stabilizingsurfaces. In some embodiments, the sponson may include hydrodynamicand/or aerodynamic control surfaces.

Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a dynamic seal for a groundeffect craft. The ground effect craft may include the dynamic sealbetween a first ground effect wing and one sponson of a plurality ofsponsons. The dynamic seal may be configured to increase lift of thefirst ground effect wing by increasing pressure under the ground effectwing. The dynamic seal may include an endplate that is substantiallyadjacent to one sponson in the plurality of sponsons. In someembodiments, the dynamic seal may include an extendable endplate. Insome embodiments, the extendable endplate may extend from the firstground effect wing. In some embodiments, the dynamic seal may include apneumatic seal that is substantially adjacent to a sponson in theplurality of sponsons. In some embodiments, the dynamic seal may includea preformed seal that is substantially adjacent to a sponson in theplurality of sponsons. The preformed seal may include a Teflon, rubber,high density molecular plastic seal, or other suitable material. In someembodiments, the dynamic seal may include a flexible elastic ornon-elastic membrane. In some embodiments, the membrane of the dynamicseal may connect to the body and a sponson of the plurality of sponsons.In some embodiments, the ground effect wing membrane may include themembrane of the dynamic seal. In some embodiments, the dynamic membranemay comprise a break-away connection, such as, for example hook and loopfasteners or break-away stitching, configured to detach the membranefrom the sponson and/or ground effect wing at certain angles orrotations. Such detachment, for example, may prevent a pitched sponsonfrom pitching the ground effect wing when the membrane seal is at thelimits of travel and/or fully taut. In some embodiments, the dynamicseal may include a plurality of fingers. In some embodiments, thedynamic seal may include a plurality of overlapping and/or telescopingpanels. In some embodiments, one or more flaps of the ground effectcraft may include a dynamic seal configured to seal with the groundeffect wing and a sponson of the plurality of sponsons.

Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a ground effect craftincluding a stabilizing wing. The stabilizing wing may include one ormore control surfaces. In some embodiments, the one or more controlsurfaces may be actuated by one or more actuators. In some embodiments,the one or more control surfaces may be configured to operate in acoordinated manner. In some embodiments, one or more control surfacesmay be actuated by automatic control systems, including, for example, anautopilot. In some embodiments, the stabilizing wing may include ahorizontal stabilizer. In some embodiments, the stabilizing wing mayinclude one or more vertical stabilizers. In some embodiments, thestabilizing wing may include one or more of an elevator, a flap, aflaperon, ailevon, spoiler, split spoiler, aerodynamic rudder or anailevator. In some embodiments, the stabilizing wing may include ananhedral wing. In some embodiments, the stabilizing wing may include areverse delta wing. In some embodiments, the stabilizing wing mayinclude outrigger bodies with spoilers.

Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a linkage system between aplurality of sponsons of a ground effect craft. In some embodiments, thelinkage system may include a connection between the plurality ofsponsons. In some embodiments, the linkage system may include a controlsystem that stiffens at least one connection between the body and thesponsons. In some embodiments, the linkage system may include a controlsystem that dampens at least one connection between the body and thesponsons. In some embodiments, the linkage system may include aplurality of control links. The plurality of control links maydynamically connect the plurality of sponsons to the body of the groundeffect craft. In some embodiments, the linkage system may include aflexible beam that spans between two sponsons in the plurality ofsponsons and/or a sponson in the plurality of sponsons and the body. Insome embodiments, the linkage system may include at least one of aspring and a dampener. In some embodiments, the linkage system mayinclude a frame spanning two sponsons in the plurality of sponsonsand/or a sponson in the plurality of sponsons and the body.

In some embodiments, the frame may be dynamically connected to thesponsons via a dampening device, such as, for example, a spring. In someembodiments, the linkage system may include at least one of a McPhersonstrut, a torsion bar, a trailing arm, a leaf spring, a single or doublewishbone, a single or double hinge, a pantograph linkage system, or aWatts Linkage.

Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a flap of a ground effectwing. The ground effect wing may include the flap configured to moverelative to the ground effect wing. In some embodiments, the flap may beconfigured to be reinforced by one or more transverse and/orlongitudinal reinforcing members. In some embodiments the reinforcingmembers and/or the flap may be of a composite construction with alaminate schedule designed to provide a predetermined resistance todeflection at varying aerodynamic pressures. In some embodiments, thelaminate schedule may include a dampening material. In some embodiments,the laminate may be configured to have an increased stiffness at aninterior portion of the flap and a decreased stiffness at an edgeportion of the flap. In some embodiments, the laminate may be configuredto have an increased stiffness at an edge portion of the flap and adecreased stiffness at an interior portion of the flap. In someembodiments, a flap may be constructed of overlapping segments to permitdeflection of at least one segment of the overlapping segments withouttransmitting the movement to at least one other segment of theoverlapping segments.

In some embodiments, the ground effect wing may include a first flapconfigured to extend from an aft spar of the ground effect wing. Thefirst flap may be configured to rotate substantially downwards toincrease lift of the ground effect wing. In some embodiments, the firstflap may include an actuator that moves the first flap, thereby changinga location of a center of pressure and/or adjusting a pressureunderneath the ground effect wing. In some embodiments, the flap may beconfigured to actuate by a pneumatically pressurized membrane lobe. Theflap may be configured to rotate substantially downwards or upwards toincrease or decrease the lift of the ground effect wing.

In some embodiments, the ground effect wing may include a second flapproximate to the center of area of a ground effect wing. In someembodiments, the second flap may be located between a front spar and anaft spar of the ground effect wing. In some embodiments, the second flapmay be configured to be extended or retracted, changing a location of acenter of pressure and/or adjusting a pressure underneath the groundeffect wing.

Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a propulsion system of aground effect craft. In some embodiments, the propulsion system mayinclude one or more motors connected to at least one sponson in theplurality of sponsons. The motors may include marine motors. In someembodiments, the marine motors may include at least one of an outboardmotor and an inboard motor. The propulsion system may include poddrives, surface drives, jet drives, stern drives, inboard drives,folding surface shaft drive, and outboard drives. In some embodiments,the propulsion system may include a surface or shaft drive comprisinghydro-pneumatic dampening of the vertical trim actuators. In someembodiments, the propulsion system may include at least one aerodynamicmotor connected to a body, a sponson, and/or a stabilizing wing. In someembodiments, the propulsion system may include at least aerodynamicpropulsion system connected to a body, a sponson, and/or a stabilizingwing. In some embodiments the aerodynamic motor or aerodynamicpropulsion system may include a propeller and/or force-generatingmechanism. In some embodiments, at least one wing surface of the groundeffect craft may include solar cells to power electric motors or chargebatteries.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand are not restrictive of the invention. The accompanying drawings,which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification,illustrate several exemplary embodiments and together with thedescription, serve to outline principles of the exemplary embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1B illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a ground effectcraft.

FIG. 2 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a ground effectcraft.

FIG. 3A-3B illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a ground effectcraft.

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a ground effectcraft.

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate another exemplary arrangements of a ground effectcraft.

FIGS. 6A-6B illustrates exemplary embodiments of control systems of aground effect craft.

FIG. 7A-7D illustrate exemplary embodiments of aerodynamic structures ofground effect craft.

FIGS. 8A-8G illustrate exemplary embodiments of a dynamic seal.

FIGS. 9A-9D illustrate exemplary embodiments of a sponson.

FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate other exemplary embodiments of a ground effectcraft.

FIGS. 11A-11B illustrate exemplary embodiments of a method ofstabilizing a ground effect craft.

FIGS. 12A-12C illustrate exemplary embodiments of folding mechanisms ofan embodiment of a ground effect craft.

FIGS. 13A-13G illustrate exemplary embodiments of folding mechanisms ofan exemplary embodiments of a ground effect craft.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand are not restrictive of the scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments, someexamples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings.

Exemplary disclosed embodiments include apparatus, systems, and methodsfor stabilizing and generating lift for a ground effect craft. Forexample, in some embodiments, a ground effect craft may include a groundeffect wing. The ground effect craft may include a plurality ofsponsons, a body, and a control system. The ground effect craft may beused in a method for stabilizing the ground effect craft. The groundeffect craft may be used in a method for generating lift for the groundeffect craft. The disclosed embodiments increase stability and/or reduceinstability associated with the ground effect craft when compared totraditional stabilizing methods by allowing the sponson to move relativeto the body. Stability is further increased by allowing the sponsons tomove relative to each other. The disclosed embodiments increasestability associated with the ground effect craft when compared totraditional stabilizing methods by generating lift for the bodyindependent of the sponsons. Some embodiments may reduce a tendency fora ground effect craft to become unstable, for example, by reducingand/or mitigating forces associated with causing an unstable conditionof the craft. Some embodiments may generate lift for the ground effectcraft to increase efficiency. Some embodiments may reduce craft failuresand increase efficiency as compared to previously known craft.

Some embodiments may be used to stabilize craft that generate lift forground effect craft, such as watercraft, or aircraft. In someembodiments, the sponsons may include a first sponson and secondsponson. In some embodiments, the ground effect craft may include astabilizing wing. In some embodiments, the ground effect wing mayinclude a fore ground effect wing and an aft ground effect wing.

Some embodiments may include methods for generating lift for a groundeffect craft. Some embodiments may include methods for stabilizing aground effect craft. Some embodiments stabilize the ground effect craftby reducing a tendency for a ground effect craft to become unstable, forexample, by reducing and/or mitigating forces associated with causing anunstable condition of the craft. Some embodiments may also generate liftfor the ground effect craft to increase efficiency. Thus, variousembodiments, either alone or in combination, may increase stability andefficiency of a ground effect craft as compared to previously known,conventional methods.

FIGS. 1A-1B, 2, 3A-3B, 4A-4B, and 10 illustrate non-limiting examples ofground effect craft consistent with the present disclosure. Exemplarydeflections of one or more sponsons of ground effect craft are describedwith reference to FIGS. 5A-5B. Exemplary control systems of groundeffect craft are described with reference to FIGS. 6A-6B. Exemplaryground effect lift surfaces and stabilizing members are described withreference to FIGS. 7A-7D and 8A-8G. An exemplary sponson of groundeffect craft is described with reference to FIGS. 9A-9D. An exemplarymethod of generating lift is described with reference to FIGS. 11A-11B.FIGS. 12A-12C describe an exemplary folding mechanism to reduce thefootprint of the ground effect craft. FIGS. 13A-13G also describeexemplary folding mechanisms of a ground effect craft. It is understoodthat the examples and embodiments described represent simplifieddescriptions used to facilitate understanding of the principles andmethods of this disclosure.

FIG. 1A shows an exemplary embodiment of ground effect craft 100. Insome embodiments, ground effect craft 100 may include a first sponson102, a second sponson 104, a body 106, a first ground effect wing 108, asecond ground effect wing 109, a fore control system 128, and an aftcontrol system 130. To facilitate understanding, ground effect wings108, 109 are shown stippled in FIG. 1A.

Ground effect wings 108, 109 may operate to create a ground effectlifting force when the ground effect craft operates near a planetarysurface. For example, ground effect wings 108,109 may create a liftingforce as ground effect craft 100 travels over water. In someembodiments, ground effect wings 108, 109 may create an air cushionbetween a wing surface and a planetary surface. In some embodiments,first ground effect wing 108 may include a first leading edge 131, afirst main spar 134, and/or a first aft spar 136. Second ground effectwing 109 may include a second leading edge 132, a second main spar 135,and/or a second aft spar 137. Ground effect wings 108, 109 may include afirst shaped leading edge 131 and a second shaped leading edge 132 todirect air flow in a way that facilitates lift. In some embodiments,ground effect wings 108, 109 may include a rigid or semi-rigid structureto maintain an airfoil shape configured to generate lift. In someembodiments, ground effect wing 108, 109 may include a flexible orsemi-flexible material to entrap air and/or generate lift. Such flexibleor semi-flexible material may be elastic or non-elastic. In someembodiments, ground effect wings 108, 109 may be comprised of the rigid,semi-rigid, semi-flexible, or flexible material without one or more ofmain spars 134, 135 or aft spars 136, 137. In some embodiments, groundeffect wings 108, 109 may include a plurality of aerodynamic surfaces orcontrol surfaces connected to each other.

In some embodiments, ground effect wings 108, 109 may extend fromleading edges 131, 132 to aft spars 136, 137, respectively. In someembodiments, such as shown in FIG. 1A and discussed in 1B and otherfigures herein, ground effect wings 108, 109 may also extend behind aftspars 136, 137 and may include various control surfaces configured tofacilitate lift and/or control.

Ground effect wings 108, 109 may operate to generate a lifting force forbody 106 as ground effect craft 100 moves along a planetary surface. Insome embodiments, first and second ground effect wings 108, 109 may beconnected to respective sides of body 106. In some embodiments, groundeffect wings 108, 109 may be substantially continuous between firstsponson 102 and second sponson 104, and may form a single wing.

Ground effect wings 108, 109 may be configured such that ground effectwings 108, 109 may move relative to sponsons 102, 104. Ground effectwings 108, 109 may generate lift regardless of the movement of sponsons102, 104 relative for example, due to sponsons 102, 104 striking anobstacle or perturbation on a planetary surface, which may causesponsons 102, 104 to pitch and/or heave.

In some embodiments, ground effect wings 108, 109 may be configured tosubstantially seal with sponsons 102, 104, respectively, to increasepressure underneath ground effect wings 108, 109 when ground effectcraft 100 is in motion. As discussed further below in reference to theexamples in FIGS. 8A-8G, ground effect wings 108, 109 and sponsons 102,104 may be configured to allow movement of sponsons 102, 104 relative toground effect wings 108, 109 while maintaining an air cushion beneathground effect wings 108, 109. That is, in some embodiments, sponsons102, 104 may be configured to deflect, for example, in pitch and/orheave, while ground effect wing remains relatively stable with respectto body 106.

In some embodiments ground effect wings 108,109 may comprise a solidsurface. In some embodiments, ground effect wings 108,109 may comprise asemi-flexible, flexible, semi-elastic, or flexible elastic ornon-elastic membrane surface. The membrane surface may be fixed to oneor more spars 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137. The membrane surface may beconfigured to act against, but not be coupled to, one or more spars 131,132, 134, 135, 136, 137. In such embodiments, one or more spars 131,132, 134, 135, 136,137 may control the deflection of the membrane tofacilitate generating lift. In some embodiments, the membrane surfacemay connect to an endplate. In some embodiments, a membrane surface ofground effect wings 108, 109 may connect to or form a membrane seal. Insome embodiments, ground effect wings 108, 109 may comprise acombination of solid and membrane surfaces. In some embodiments, themembrane surface may be a continuous membrane surface configured toextend from sponson 102 to sponson 104.

In some embodiments, the membrane may include or be connected to abreak-away connection, such as, for example hook and loop fasteners orbreak-away stitching, configured to detach the membrane from a sponson,body, and/or other part of the ground effect craft at certain angles orrotations. Such detachment, for example, may prevent a pitched sponsonfrom pitching the ground effect wing when the membrane seal is at thelimits of travel and/or fully taut.

Fore control system 128 may be configured to dynamically connectsponsons 102, 104 to body 106 to allow sponsons 102, 104 to move inpitch and/or heave without transferring motion to body 106 and eachother, while aft control system 130 is configured to connect firstsponson 102 to second sponson 104 such that sponson 102, 104 move inpitch and/or heave without substantially transferring motion to eachother.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 1A and 1B, portions of fore control system128 are obscured by ground effect wings 108, 109, however, examples offore control system 128 are discussed in further detail below withreference to other figures and examples.

Fore control system 128 and aft control system 130 are configured toallow generally vertical movement of the front of sponsons 102, 104relative to one another and body 106, and allow relative movement of therear of sponsons 102, 104 such that stability is improved when sponsons102, 104 strike obstacles or perturbations of a planetary surface asground effect wings 108, 109 generate lift for body 106, therefore body106 and ground effect wings 108, 109 move substantially less or do notmove in response to the pitch and/or heave of sponsons 102, 104.

Fore control system 128 and aft control system 130 may operate to allowsponsons 102,104 to move relative to body 106 when sponsons 102, 104move in heave and pitch, as further discussed herein. In someembodiments, fore control system 128 may dynamically connect firstsponson 102 to body 106 and second sponson 104 to body 106. Fore controlsystem 128 may be configured to allow first sponson 102 to move relativeto body 106 and second sponson 104. First sponson 102 may move relativeto body 106 such that a force acting on first sponson 102 is at leastpartially isolated from and does not substantially transmit the force tobody 106 to cause substantial movement of body 106. Fore control system128 may be configured to allow second sponson 104 to move relative tobody 106 and first sponson 102. Second sponson 104 may move relative tobody 106 such that a force acting on second sponson 104 does notsubstantially transmit the force to body 106 in a way that causessubstantial movement of body 106. First sponson 102 and second sponson104 may also be configured such that a force acting on either firstsponson 102 or second sponson 104 is at least partially isolated fromand does not substantially transmit the force to the other sponson,thereby allowing relatively independent movement of sponsons 102 and 104effected by a force. In other words, by dynamically coupling sponsons102, 104 to body 106 and allowing relative movement of sponsons 102, 104from body 106, sponsons 102, 104 may be at least partially decoupled inmovement from body 106, thereby increasing stability and reducinginstability of the ground effect craft when sponsons 102, 104 deflect inpitch and/or heave. This is because the relative movement of body 106and/or ground effect wings 108, 109 is mitigated. Similarly, by allowingsponson 102, 104 to move relatively independent of each other, anyinstability caused by one sponson moving in pitch and/or heave is atleast partially isolated from the other sponson and the body. Becauseinstability of one sponson is at least partially isolated from the othersponson, stability of the ground effect craft is improved. Moreover, bydynamically coupling sponsons 102, 104 via aft control system 130, therear portions of sponsons 102, 104, although able to move relative toone another, may be partially constrained, thereby reducing instabilityof the aft portion of ground effect craft 100.

In some embodiments, fore control system 128 may be positioned in frontof a longitudinal center of gravity of body 106. In some embodiments,fore control system 128 may include a single control link (not shown).In some embodiments, fore control system 128 may include a plurality ofcontrol links. In some embodiments, fore control system 128 may includeone or more flexible members, dynamic connections, and/or fixedconnections. Fore control system 128 may include first and second mainspars 134, 135. Fore control system 128 may include one or more rigidmembers and at least one dynamic connection such as, for example, toconnect the rigid members to sponsons 102, 104 or body 106. A dynamicconnection may include one or more hinges, pivots, bearings, joints(such as ball joints), springs, and/or dampeners, or any otherconnection configured to permit motion between the connected objects,such as, for example, between the rigid or flexible member and sponsons102, 104 or body 106. Fore control system 128 may include at least oneflexible member, which may act as a dampener and/or spring such as athin-walled beam. Dynamic connections allow independent movement of, forexample, sponson 102, 104, such that sponsons 102, 104 move relative tobody 106 and each other without causing disruption to body 106, therebyincreasing stability or reducing or mitigating an unstable condition ofthe overall craft, such as caused by pitching of one or both of sponsons102, 104.

In some embodiments, fore control system 128 may include a rigid orsemi-rigid member extending between first sponson 102 and body 106, theconnection may include a hinge, bearing, pivot, or joint (such as a balljoint) configured to allow rotation of first sponson 102 relative tobody 106. In some embodiments, fore control system 128 may include afirst control link extending from first sponson 102 to body 106. In someembodiments, fore control system 128 may include a second control linkextending from first sponson 102 to body 106. In some embodiments, thecontrol links may assume the shape of an airfoil section to reduceaerodynamic drag. In some embodiments, the control links may include asuper-cavitating leading edge to reduce hydrodynamic drag. In someembodiments, the control links may include a center of rotation forwardof a planar center of area of the control link, thereby aligning alongthe airflow and/or hydrodynamic flow to reduce drag. The control linksmay include an inverse u-shape member that spans from body 106 to afirst sponson 102 or a second sponson 104 to increase clearance from aplanetary surface.

Aft control system 130 may dynamically connect first sponson 102 tosecond sponson 104. Aft control system 130 may be configured to allowfirst sponson 102 to move relative to second sponson 104. First sponson102 may move relative to second sponson 104 such that a generallyvertical force on first sponson 102 does not substantially transmit theforce to second sponson 104 in a way that causes substantial movement ofsecond sponson 104. In some embodiments, aft control system 130 may bepositioned behind the longitudinal center of gravity of sponson 102,104. Aft control system 130 may include one or more rigid or semi-rigidmembers, a dynamic connection, and/or a fixed connection. A dynamicconnection may include one or more hinges, pivots, joints (such as balljoints), springs, and/or dampeners, or any other connection that permitsmotion between the connected objects. Aft control system 130 may includea flexible or semi-flexible member, such as a torsion bar. In someembodiments, aft control system 130 may include a single control arm,such as aft control link 138. In some embodiments, aft control system130 may include a plurality of control arms. In some embodiments, aftcontrol system 130 may include a plurality of aft control links orcontrol arms (not shown). Such plurality of links or arms may beconfigured with a geometry, such as a parallelogram, trapezoidal, ortriangular geometry, to reduce instability of ground effect craft 100while permitting relative movement of at least one sponson. Aparallelogram geometry, for example, may be configured to assist inmaintaining sponsons 102, 104 substantially parallel to each other.

In some embodiments, aft control system 130 may include a rigid orsemi-rigid member, such as aft control link 138, extending between firstsponson 102 and second sponson 104, the connection having a hinge,bearing, pivot, or joint (such as a ball joint) to allow rotation ormovement of first sponson 102 relative to second sponson 104. In someembodiments, aft control system 130 may include one or more flexible orsemi-flexible members and fixed or dynamic connections. In someembodiments, aft control system 130 may include at least one flexible orsemi-flexible member configured to act as a dampener and/or spring, suchas a flexible beam, extending between first sponson 102 and secondsponson 104. In some embodiments, body 106 may include a resting surfaceconfigured to rest on aft control link 138, for example, when the groundeffect craft is stationary or moving at a low velocity. According tosome embodiments, the resting surface may include shock absorptionmaterials or devices, for example, to absorb forces imparted from aftcontrol link 138 to body 106 or from body 106 to aft control link 138.

Ground effect wings 108, 109 and sponsons 102, 104 may form an aircushion beneath ground effect winds 108, 109 to create a lifting forceon ground effect craft 100. The air cushion may, in some embodiments,stabilize ground effect craft 100. Ground effect wings 108, 109 may besubstantially sealed with first and second sponsons 102, 104 to increasethe pressure of the air cushion.

Ground effect wings 108, 109 may include one or more ground effect wingflaps 110. Ground effect wing flap 110 may move relative to a connectionto ground effect wings 108, 109. Ground effect wing flap 110 may beconfigured to move relative to a planetary surface to increase ordecrease lift. For example, ground effect wing flap 110 may beconfigured to move towards a planetary surface to increase liftingpressure of the air cushion, generating lift and/or causing body 106 topitch downward. In some embodiments, ground effect wing flap 110 may bepositioned behind the center of gravity of body 106 and/or sponsons 102,104. Ground effect wing flap 110 may include a reinforcing structureconfigured to increase stiffness when the ground effect flap 110 movesupward due to, for example, air pressure created under ground effectwings 108, 109. This increased stiffness may result in a lifting forcenear the rear of ground effect wings 108, 109 thereby causing anose-down moment on the front of ground effect craft 100. Ground effectwing flap 110 may include a dampening layer configured to mitigateand/or eliminate an impact force from a planetary surface transmitted toground effect wings 108, 109. In some embodiments, each of ground effectwings 108, 109 may include a ground effect wing flap 110. In someembodiments, a single ground effect wing flap may connect ground effectwings 108, 109.

In some embodiments, the reinforcing members, the ground effect wings,and/or the flap may be of a composite construction with a laminateschedule configured to provide a predetermined resistance to deflectionat varying aerodynamic and/or hydrodynamic pressures or impacts. In someembodiments, the laminate schedule may include a dampening material. Insome embodiments, the laminate schedule may be configured to have anincreased stiffness at an interior portion of the flap and a decreasedstiffness at an edge portion of the flap. In some embodiments, thelaminate schedule may be configured to have an increased stiffness at anedge portion of the flap and a decreased stiffness at an interiorportion of the flap. Although discussed relative to reinforcing members,ground effect wings and flaps, it is understood that this discussionalso applies to the sponsons, portions of the various wings, controlsurfaces, flaps, body, and other ground effect craft elements describedherein.

In some embodiments, such as when ground effect craft 100 is awatercraft, a first marine surface drive 112 and a second marine surfacedrive 114 may be coupled to first sponson 102 and second sponson 104,respectively. Marine surface drives 112, 114 may include marine motors(not shown) installed in sponsons 102, 104. In some embodiments, one ormore marine outboard motors may be fixed at the location of marinesurface drives 112, 114. In some embodiments, one or more marine drives(not shown) may be coupled to body 106 instead of, or in addition to,surface marine drives 112, 114. Non-limiting examples of marine drives112, 114 may include pod drives, surface drives, jet drives, sterndrives, inboard drives, folding surface shaft drive, and outboarddrives. Embodiments of some propulsion systems may include, for example,a surface or shaft drive comprising hydro-pneumatic dampening of thevertical trim actuators. In some embodiments, the drives may beconfigured to control the direction of ground effect craft 100.Non-limiting examples of marine motors may include inboard motors,and/or outboard motors and/or electric motors. In some embodiments, oneor more aerodynamic motor may be coupled to one or both of the sponsons.It is also contemplated that propulsion systems may include at least oneaerodynamic motor and/or aerodynamic propulsion system that may include,for example, a propeller, ramjet, and/or force-generating deviceconnected to one or more of body 106, ground effect wings 108, 109,and/or sponsons 102, 104.

Sponsons of ground effect craft 100 may include aerodynamic surfacesconfigured to control the direction of ground effect craft 100.Aerodynamic surfaces of the sponsons of ground effect craft 100 may beconfigured to provide lift to and/or stabilize the sponsons. In someembodiments, first sponson 102 may include a first vertical stabilizingsurface 116. First vertical stabilizing surface 116 may be configured tostabilize first sponson 102 when ground effect craft 100 is in motion.In some embodiments, first sponson 102 may include a first horizontalstabilizing surface 120 connected to first sponson 102 and/or firstvertical stabilizing surface 116. First horizontal stabilizing surface120 and/or first vertical stabilizing surface 116 may include a firststabilizing control surface 124. First stabilizing control surface 124may stabilize first sponson 102 when ground effect craft 100 is inmotion, such as when turning. For example, first stabilizing controlsurface 124 may change position to cause first sponson 102 to roll in adesired direction.

In some embodiments, second sponson 104 may include a second horizontalstabilizing surface 122 connected to second sponson 104 and/or secondvertical stabilizing surface 118. Second vertical stabilizing surface118 may be configured to stabilize second sponson 104 when ground effectcraft 100 is in motion. Second horizontal stabilizing surface 122 and/orsecond vertical stabilizing surface 118 may include a second stabilizingcontrol surface 126. Second vertical stabilizing surface 118 may beconfigured to stabilize second sponson 104 when ground effect craft 100is in motion, such as when turning. In some embodiments, second sponson104 may include a second horizontal stabilizing surface 126 connected tosecond sponson 104 and/or second vertical stabilizing surface 118.Second horizontal stabilizing surface 122 may include the secondstabilizing control surface 126. For example, second stabilizing controlsurface 126 may change position to cause second sponson 104 to roll in adesired direction.

In some embodiments, horizontal stabilizing surfaces 120, 122 may beconfigured as anhedral, dihedral, partially dihedral, partiallyanhedral, gull-wing, or inverted gull-wing surfaces.

Stabilizing control surfaces 124, 126 may include, for example, at leastone of an elevator, aileron a flap, a flaperon, spoiler, ailevon, splitspoiler ailevon, or ailevator. Although discussed relative to controlsurfaces 124, 126, it is understood that this discussion applies tocontrol surfaces of the various ground effect craft described herein, orotherwise encompassed by the principles disclosed herein. In someembodiments, one or more control surfaces may be actuated by automaticcontrol systems including an autopilot.

In some embodiments, first and second stabilizing control surfaces 124,126 may be configured to move first and second sponsons 102, 104,respectively, to control the direction of movement of ground effectcraft 100.

A ground effect craft may include canard wings to improve lift andcontrol of the craft. In some embodiments, body 106 may include a firstcanard surface 142 and a second canard surface 146. First and secondcanard surfaces 142, 146 may be configured to generate lift. Firstcanard surface 142 may include a first canard control surface 144.Second canard surface 146 may include a second canard control surface148. First and second canard surfaces 142, 146 may be wing surfacespositioned near the fore of body 106. In some embodiments, canardsurfaces 142, 146 may be configured to control lift by moving relativeto a connection to canard surfaces 142, 146. In some embodiments, canardsurfaces 142, 146 may be configured to generate lift to and/or control amotion of body 106. In some embodiments, canard control surfaces 144,148 may stabilize body 106 when ground effect craft 100 is turning. Forexample, first canard control surface 148 may move to cause body 106 toroll in a desired direction. As a further example, first canard controlsurface 148 may move together with control surface 144 to cause body 106to pitch in a desired direction.

Body 106 may include a fuselage, which may include one or more of acockpit, a passenger compartment, or a cargo bay. In some embodiments,body 106 may include a planing surface configured to reduce drag if aplanetary surface is near or adjacent to body 106 while ground effectcraft 100 is in motion. In some embodiments, body 106 may include abuoyant sponson or incorporate a sponson (not shown) within a hull ofbody 106. In some embodiments, body 106 may include at least oneactuating mechanism configured to lift body 106 relative to thesponsons, for example, as described below. In some embodiments, suchactuating mechanisms may be configured to be controlled by automaticcontrol systems. In some embodiments, the body may be configured tofloat in water. In some embodiments, fore control system 128 solelycontrols free movement of body 106 with respect to sponsons 102, 104. Insuch embodiments, body 106 may be supported; hydrostatically by thedisplacement of the mass of body 106 by buoyancy when floating,hydrodynamically by body planing lift at lower velocities, and/oraerodynamically by ground effect wings 108,109 at higher velocities. Insome embodiments, body 106 may include an undercarriage shield or atleast one planing surface configured to protect fore control system 128from impact with a planetary surface and/or an obstacle.

A sponson, such as sponsons 102, 104, may have a hull with surfacefeatures along the length of the hull, such as laminar flowinterrupters, transverse steps, longitudinal steps, and/or strakes. Forexample, both longitudinal and transverse steps may reduce drag andincrease longitudinal stability. A chine step, for example, may beconfigured to operate as a spray rail. A longitudinal step may, forexample, decrease drag and friction as compared to a conventional hull.Sponsons 102, 104 may also include other marine control surfaces thatoperate to change the direction of ground effect craft 100, such as, forexample, trim tabs, interceptors, rudders, roll stabilizers.

Although certain embodiments described herein include two sponsons, itis also contemplated that ground effect craft 100 may include three ormore sponsons.

FIG. 1B illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a ground effect craft150. Certain features of ground effect craft 150 may be similar to thoseof exemplary ground effect craft 100 discussed with respect to FIG. 1A.The following description of ground effect craft 150 describes certainfeatures of ground effect craft 150 that may vary from those of groundeffect craft 100. Ground effect craft 150 includes a ground effect wingthat extends along the length of body 106 length to increase the volumeof the air cushion beneath the ground effect wing. In some embodiments,ground effect craft 150 may include a ground effect wing 152 thatextends from a leading edge to a trailing edge that is behind sponsons102, 104. In some embodiments, ground effect wing 152 may include an aftground effect wing flap 154 configured to retain air pressure beneathground effect wing 152. In some embodiments, ground effect wing flap 154may operate similar to flap 110 described herein. In some embodiments,ground effect wing flap 154 may be configured to be raised, lowered,extended, and/or retracted to increase or decrease pressure and/orchange the location of a center of pressure of ground effect wing 152.In some embodiments, ground effect wing 152 and ground effect wing flap154 may be configured to form a dynamic seal with sponsons 102, 104. Insome embodiments, the dynamic seal may be configured to allow pitch andheave moments of sponsons 102, 104 and/or body 106, thereby maintainingthe pressure underneath ground effect wing 152. In some embodiments, thedynamic seal may be configured to generate lift for sponsons 102, 104and/or body 106.

In some embodiments, a rear portion of ground effect wing 152 may have areverse delta or trapezoidal planform. In some embodiments, the sidesand/or endplates of ground effect wing 152 may be tapered inwardlytowards the aft of ground effect craft 150. In some embodiments, thesides and/or endplates near the rear of ground effect wing 152 may besloped inwardly towards the upper surface of ground effect wing 152.

In some embodiments, ground effect wing flap 154 may have a reversedelta or trapezoidal planform. In some embodiments, the sides and/orendplates of ground effect wing flap 154 may be tapered inwardly towardsthe aft of ground effect craft 150. In some embodiments, the sidesand/or endplates of ground effect wing flap 154 may be sloped inwardlytowards the upper surface of ground effect wing flap 154.

Ground effect craft 150 may be configured to create an air cushionunderneath ground effect wing 152 during a transition between astationary state and a moving state. In some embodiments, ground effectcraft 150 may include fingers that may be inflatable (not shown) alongleading edges 131, 132 of ground effect wing 152. In some embodiments,the fingers may retract after ground effect craft 150 transitions from astopped state to a moving state to increase lift generating by groundeffect wing 152. In some embodiments, ground effect craft 150 mayinclude fans to generate pressure beneath ground effect wing 152configured to lift ground effect craft 150.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a ground effect craft 200.Certain features of ground effect craft 200 are not shown or discussedin these examples where such features may be similar to those discussedfor other embodiments.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary ground effect craft 200. In some embodiments,ground effect craft 200 may include a first sponson 102, a secondsponson 104, a body 106, a first fore ground effect wing 108, a secondfore ground effect wing 109, and an aft ground effect wing 210. Foreground effect wings 108, 109 may include forward ground effect flap 110.Aft ground effect wing 210 may include aft ground effect flap 212. Insome embodiments, aft ground effect wing 210 may be connected tosponsons 102, 104. In some embodiments, aft ground effect wing 210 maybe positioned aft of sponsons 102, 104. In some embodiments, aft groundeffect wing 210 may be coupled to one or more sponsons, such as sponsons102, 104. In some embodiments, aft ground effect wing 210 may beconnected to an aft control link (not shown), such as, for example, aftcontrol link 138. In some embodiments, first sponson 102 may includefirst propulsion system 216 and second sponson 104 may include secondpropulsion system 218 or other propulsion systems discussed herein.

In some embodiments, aft ground effect flap 212 may have featuressimilar to aft ground effect flap 154. In some embodiments, an angle ofground effect flaps 212, 214 may be adjusted for varying desired lift,obstacle clearance, docking, weight distribution, or weight transfer.

In some embodiments, aft ground effect wing 210 may have a reverse deltaor trapezoidal planform. In some embodiments, the sides and/or endplatesof aft ground effect wing 210 may be tapered inwardly towards the aft ofground effect craft 200. In some embodiments, the sides and/or endplatesof aft ground effect wing 210 may be sloped inwardly towards the uppersurface of aft ground effect wing 210.

In some embodiments, aft ground effect wing flap 212 may have a reversedelta or trapezoidal planform. In some embodiments, the sides and/orendplates of aft ground effect wing flap 212 may be tapered inwardlytowards the aft of ground effect craft 200. In some embodiments, thesides and/or endplates of aft ground effect wing flap 212 may be slopedinwardly towards the upper surface of aft ground effect wing flap 212.

Aft ground effect wing 210 may be positioned substantially aft of foreground effect wing 108, 109. Aft ground effect wing 210 may, forexample, generate lift aft of the longitudinal center of gravity ofsponsons 102,104 thereby creating a stabilizing downward pitching momenton the plurality of sponsons. For example, as the center of pressure ofaft ground effect wing 210 may also be aft of both the longitudinalcenter of gravity and the center of pressure of the fore ground effectwings 108, 109 such that the downward pitching moment induced by aftground effect wing 210 on the sponsons assists in stabilizing the groundeffect craft. By creating a downward pitching moment on sponson 102,104, aft ground effect wing 210 mitigates instability of ground effectcraft caused when sponsons 102, 104 move in pitch and/or heave, such aswhen a force is imparted from a planetary surface. In some embodiments,aft ground effect wing 210 may be configured to generate a stabilizingmoment on sponsons 102, 104 when an angle of attack of body 106 and/orpitch of sponsons 102/104 is increased.

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate exemplary embodiments of a ground effect craft300. Certain features of ground effect craft 300 are not shown ordiscussed in these examples where such features may be similar to thosediscussed for other embodiments.

FIG. 3A shows an example embodiment of a ground effect craft 300. Groundeffect craft 300 may include a stabilizing wing 310, which may beconfigured to provide stability and lift. In some embodiments, groundeffect craft 300 may include a first sponson 102, a second sponson 104,a body 106, a one or more ground effect wings 108, 109, and stabilizingwing 310. In some embodiments, ground effect craft 300 may include anaft ground effect wing 210 (not shown).

In some embodiments, the center of pressure of stabilizing wing 310 maybe aft of the longitudinal center of gravity of body 106. In someembodiments, stabilizing wing 310 may operate to counteract an unstablemoment of ground effect craft 300. For example, stabilizing wing 310 maybe configured to provide lift to an aft portion of body 106. In someembodiments, stabilizing wing 310 may be connected to body 106. In someembodiments, stabilizing wing 310 may be connected to one or more ofsponsons 102, 104. In some embodiments, stabilizing wing 310 may operateto counteract forces, such as pitching moments, on body 106 by beingpositioned aft and/or above body 106. In some embodiments, stabilizingwing 310 may operate to counteract forces on body 106 by operating at adistance sufficient to increase a torque of a control surface ofstabilizing wing 310 on body 106 and/or ground effect wings 108, 109. Insome embodiments, stabilizing wing 310 may include a surface areagreater than ground effect wings 108, 109, thereby allowing a controlsurface of stabilizing wing 310 to generate a moment greater than amoment of ground effect wings 108, 109. In some embodiments, stabilizingwing 310 may be configured to generate a stabilizing moment on body 106and/or ground effect wings 108, 109 when an angle of attack of body 106and/or ground effect wings 108, 109 is increased.

In some embodiments, the at least partial isolation pitch and/or heaveof sponsons 102, 104 from each other and from body 106 mitigates ahydrodynamically-induced pitching moment on ground effect wings 108, 109when sponsons 102, 104 pitch and/or heave. By mitigating thehydrodynamically-induced pitching of ground effect wings 108, 109, theat least partial isolation also mitigates or prevents blanketing ofstabilizing wing 310 that may be caused by hydrodynamically-inducedpitching of ground effect wings 108, 109. Mitigating or preventingblanketing of stabilizing wing 310 may reduce instability of the groundeffect craft.

In some embodiments, stabilizing wing 310 may include a first wing 328and a second wing 330. In some embodiments, wings 328, 330 may includeroll and pitch stabilizing control surfaces 324, 326. In someembodiments, vertical surfaces 332, 334 may include yaw stabilizingcontrol surfaces 336, 338. In some embodiments, stabilizing wing 310 mayinclude a vertical surface that includes a first vertical surface 332and a second vertical surface 334. Stabilizing wing 310 may includewingtip bodies 316, 318. Wingtip bodies 316, 318 may include wing tipspoilers 320, 322. In some embodiments, vertical control surfaces 332,334 may be configured to operate with wingtip spoilers 320, 322. In someembodiments, stabilizing wing 310 may include one or more elevatorcontrol surfaces 340. Elevator control surfaces 340 may be configured toact with control surfaces 324, 326.

In some embodiments, control surfaces 320, 322, 324, 326, 336, 338, and340 may operate to provide stability attitude and directional controlfor ground effect craft 300. For example, one or more control surfaces320, 322, 324, 326, 336, 338, and 340 may operate in conjunction tofacilitate a change of direction or stabilize ground effect craft 300.In some embodiments, the horizontal center of stabilizing wing 310 maybe positioned substantially higher than ground effect wings 108, 109. Insome embodiments, stabilizing wing 310 may generate lift for a rearportion of body 106. In some embodiments, stabilizing wing 310 mayimprove stability of ground effect craft 300 by lifting the rear portionof body 106 and/or by operating to move control surfaces 320, 322, 324,326, 336, 338, and 340 as various forces, such as an impact force from aplanetary surface, affect the motion of sponsons 102, 104 and/or body106.

In some embodiments, wings 328, 330 may include an anhedral wing. Insome embodiments, wings 328, 330 may include a dihedral, partiallydihedral, partially anhedral, gull-wing, or inverted gull-wing. In someembodiments, stabilizing wing 310 may have a reverse deltaconfiguration. In some embodiments, stabilizing wing 310 may compriseone or more transverse wings. It is also contemplated that propulsionsystems may include at least one aerodynamic motor and/or aerodynamicpropulsion system that may include, for example, a propeller, ramjet,and/or force-generating device connected to stabilizing wing 310.

In some embodiments, wings 328, 330 may comprise a solid surface. Insome embodiments, wings 328, 330 may comprise a semi-flexible, flexible,semi-elastic, or flexible elastic or non-elastic membrane surface.

Sponsons 102, 104 of ground effect craft 300 may be configured tosupport weight of stabilizing wing 310 and partial weight of the body106 when ground effect craft 300, such as when ground effect craft 300is substantially stationary. In some embodiments, sponsons 102, 104 mayinclude structural vertical stabilizers 312, 314. that may support theweight of stabilizing wing 310 and/or partial weight rear portion ofbody 106. In some embodiments, structural vertical stabilizers 312, 314may include a dampening mechanism 386, 387 of FIG. 3B, such as one ormore springs, shock absorbers, and/or dampeners, to absorb the impactenergy when stabilizing wing 310 makes contact with structural verticalstabilizers 312, 314.

FIG. 3B illustrates a cross-section of an exemplary stabilizing wing310. Some embodiments of the ground effect craft may include an anhedralwing configured to counter a lack of aerodynamic roll with sideslip.Stabilizing wing 310 may, for example, include an anhedral wing in someembodiments.

As discussed above, stabilizing wing 310 may be connected to a body andmay move relative to one or more sponsons. In some embodiments, whenstationary or at low velocities the stabilizing wing 310 of groundeffect craft 300 may rest on the vertical stabilizer structures (notshown) of one or more sponsons, such as sponsons 102, 104. In someembodiments, shocks 386, 387 may be integrated into stabilizing wing 310or the vertical stabilizer structures of the sponsons. In someembodiments, shocks 386, 387 may absorb forces imparted from sponson102, 104 to stabilizing wing 310 and provide support for the weight ofstabilizing wing 310 when the ground effect craft is not in motion.

In some embodiments, at least one wing surface of a ground effect craftmay comprise solar cells or panels. Such solar cells or panels may beconfigured to power electric motors or charge batteries of the groundeffect craft.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate exemplary embodiments and configurations ofan aircraft 400. Some features of aircraft 400 are not shown ordiscussed in these examples where such features may be similar to thosediscussed for other embodiments.

Aircraft 400 may include a first sponson 102 and a second sponson 104that move relative to body 406 and each other. Body 406 may includeground effect wings 108, 109. For example, first sponson 102 mayencounter a surface causing first sponson 102 to pitch and/or heaverelative to body 406 and second sponson 104.

Ground effect wings 108, 109 may generate lift for aircraft 400. In someembodiments, ground effect wings 108, 109 may be substantially sealedwith sponsons 102, 104, respectively, to form an air cushion underneathground effect wings 108, 109, such as the sealing methods describedherein In some embodiments, ground effect wings 108, 109 may beconfigured to generate lift as aircraft 400 transitions between atakeoff mode and a flying mode. In some embodiments, the takeoff modemay be a configuration of aircraft 400 while stopped, taxiing, orincreasing speed to generate enough lift to enter a flying mode on aplanetary surface, such as snow, ice, water, or land. In someembodiments, sponsons 102, 104 may be configured to retract or deflecton impact, thereby absorbing a landing impact when aircraft 400transitions between the flying mode and a landing mode.

As illustrated in FIG. 4A, an exemplary fore control system 428 mayinclude first and second lower control links 410, 416, first and secondupper control links 412, 418, and/or first and second actuators 414,420. An aft control system, not shown, may dynamically connect firstsponson 102 to second sponson 104. A variety of control systems 428 arecontemplated to allow movement of one or more sponsons relative to abody of a ground effect craft, such as a control system similar to forecontrol system 128 an/or aft control system 130.

In some embodiments, first and second actuators 414, 420 may beconfigured to support the resting mass of aircraft 400, absorb an impactfrom a planetary surface, and/or extend or retract sponsons 102, 104,for example, on takeoff and landing. In some embodiments, first andsecond actuators 414, 420 may be configured to permit deflection ofsponsons 102, 104 in response to a strong force applied to sponsons 102,104, such as striking an obstacle or striking a wave or otherperturbation in a planetary surface.

FIG. 4B illustrates exemplary embodiment of aircraft 400 during flightin which sponsons 102, 104 are retracted toward body 406 to improve theaerodynamic profile, such as by reducing drag. In some embodiments,sponsons 102, 104 may retract near, within, or substantially within body406. In some embodiments, actuators 414, 420 may be configured toretract or extend sponsons 102, 104. In some embodiments, ground effectwings 108, 109 may retract near, within, or substantially within body406. Aircraft 400 may also include flap, linkage, seal and actuatorembodiments contemplated herein.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate exemplary relative motions of sponsons 102,104 of exemplary ground effect craft. Although discussed relative tosponsons 102, 104, it is understood that this discussion applies tosponsons of the various ground effect craft described herein, orotherwise encompassed by the principles disclosed herein. Some featuresof the exemplary ground effect craft are not shown or discussed in theseexamples where such features may be similar to those discussed for otherembodiments.

FIG. 5A illustrates an example embodiments and principles of at leastpartial isolation of body 106 from pitching, heaving, or other movementmoments of sponsons 102, 104. FIG. 5A also illustrates the effect of anobstacle, perturbation of a planetary surface, or other force causingsponson 102 to pitch and heave upward relative to body 106 and secondsponson 104. FIG. 5A illustrates sponson 104 heaved downward relative tobody 106 and first sponson 102.

It is understood that sponsons 102, 104 may not be completely isolatedin movement from body 106 and each other because of the connectionbetween them; however, the dynamic coupling and movement isolation issufficient to avoid transferring a substantial amount of movementbetween sponson 102, sponson 104, and body 106, thereby stabilizing (andreducing instability) of the ground effect craft when one or both ofsponsons 102, 104 move in pitch, heave, and/or other motions imparted byforces, such as impact with a planetary surface.

As discussed herein and further shown in FIG. 5A, first and secondsponsons 102, 104 may be configured to move relative to body 106 withoutsubstantially transferring the movement to body 106 or each other. Insome embodiments, ground effect wings 108, 109 may be configured to flexwhen sponson 102 and/or 104 move relative to body 106 and make contactwith ground effect wings 108, 109. In such embodiments, ground effectwings 108, 109 may be configured to flex with one or more of first andsecond main spars 134, 135, as result of movement of sponsons 102, 104which makes contact with ground effect wings 108, 109.

FIG. 5B shows an exemplary side view of sponsons 102, 104 of anexemplary ground effect craft where sponsons 102, 104 move in pitch inresponse to, for example, a perturbation or obstacle (not shown) of aplanetary surface 550. FIG. 5B shows first sponson 102 pitching relativeto body 106. FIG. 5B also shows second sponson 104 moving in pitch andheave relative to body 106. Sponson 102 may rotate such that it pitchesupwards or downward relative to body 106 and sponson 104. The relativelyindependent pitch and heave movement of sponson 102 relative to sponson104 (not shown) and body 106 is facilitated by control a control system,such as, for example, control systems 128 and/or 130 (not shown)dynamically coupling sponsons 102, 104 to body 106, and/or sponson 102to sponson 104. Such dynamic coupling permits pitch and/or heave of onesponson while increasing stability or mitigating or eliminatinginstability

FIG. 5B also shows the movement of aft ground effect wing 210 relativeto body 106. In some embodiments, aft ground effect wing 210 may beconfigured to move relative to body 106 and sponsons 102, 104, such aswhen contacting planetary surface 550, thereby reducing craft failure.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate exemplary embodiments of ground effect craft600. Certain features of ground effect craft 600 are not shown ordiscussed in these examples where such features may be similar to thosediscussed for other embodiments.

Ground effect craft 600 may be configured to allow at least partiallyisolated movement of sponsons 102, 104 relative to body 106 and eachother in a way that does not substantially transfer the motion of one orboth of sponsons 102, 104 to body 106 or the other sponson. As shown inFIG. 6A, ground effect craft 600 may include fore control system 128 andaft control system 130. In some embodiments, fore control system 128 mayinclude a first fore control link 662 dynamically connecting firstsponson 102 to body 106 and a second fore control link 664 dynamicallyconnecting second sponson 104 to body 106. In some embodiments, aftcontrol system 130 may include an aft control link 658 dynamicallyconnecting first sponson 102 to second sponson 104. First fore controllink 662 may also include first fore supporting member 650 coupled tobody 106. Second fore control link 664 may include second foresupporting member 652 coupled to body 106. As shown in FIG. 6A, aftcontrol link 658 may include first aft supporting member 654 and secondaft supporting member 656 connected to sponsons 102, 104. First andsecond fore supporting members 650, 652 and first and second aftsupporting members 654, 656 may be configured to provide yaw control bycoupling of the body 106 with sponsons 102,104 when acting with controllinks 658, 662. In some embodiments, fore supporting members 650, 652and fore control links 662, 664 are positioned in substantially the sameplane with each other and with actuators 628, 630 (shown in FIG. 6B). Insome embodiments, supporting members 650, 652, 654, 656 may bepositioned in substantially the same plane as control links 662, 664,658. It is also contemplated that one or more supporting members 650,652, 654, 656 may be at a plane different from control links 658, 662,664. In some embodiments, supporting members 654, 656 and control link658 are in substantially the same plane as each other and with aft flapactuators (such as actuators 741, 742 of FIG. 7C). It is furthercontemplated that supporting members 650, 652, 654, 656 may connect tocontrol links 662, 664, 658 anywhere along the length of the controllink. In some embodiments, control links 658, 662, 664, and supportingmembers 650, 652, 654, 646 may be rigid, semi-rigid, flexible, orsemi-flexible.

In some embodiments, aft control link 658 is configured to connect firstsponson 102 and second sponson 104. Aft control link 658 maysubstantially span the distance between first sponson 102 and secondsponson 104. Aft control link 658 may be dynamically connected to firstsponson 102 and second sponson 104 via a plurality of ball joints. Atleast one ball joint in the plurality of ball joints may allow movementof first sponson 102 relative to second sponson 104. Although it iscontemplated that ball joints may be used in this example, other methodsof dynamically connecting aft control link 658 to first and secondsponsons 102, 104 are known to those of skill in the art andcontemplated herein, and may be use in addition to or in the alternativeof ball joints. Such connections include, but are not limiting tohinges, pivots, joints (such as ball joints), springs, and/or dampeners.

In some embodiments, aft control link 658 may include a flexible orsemi-flexible beam that is fixedly connected to first and second sponson102, 104, such that the flexibility of aft control link 658 permitssponsons 102, 104 to move relative to each other without substantiallytransferring motion from one sponson to the other. In some embodiments,aft control link 658 may include a rigid or semi-rigid beam. In someembodiments, control link 658 may include a plurality of links so as tocollectively act as a parallelogram with sponsons 102, 104. In someembodiments, a single fore link or spar connection from the body 106 tosponsons 102, 104 is contemplated.

FIG. 6B illustrates aspects of ground effect craft 600. FIG. 6B shows anon-limiting embodiment of a fore control system, such as fore controlsystem 128. Ground effect craft 600 may include a first main spar 134dynamically connecting body 106 to first sponson 102 and a second mainspar 135 dynamically connecting body 106 to second sponson 104 to allowdeflecting movement of sponsons 102, 104 relative to body 106 and eachother. Main spars 134, 135 may allow movement of first sponson 102 andsecond sponson 104 relative to body 106 and each other. Main spars 134,135 may be configured to dampen or absorb forces, such as created bypitch and/or heave, imparted on sponsons 102, 104 so that the forcetransmitted to body 106 is reduced and/or relatively isolated by mainspars 134, 135 from body 106. In some embodiments, body 106 may be atleast partially isolated in heave and/or pitch from sponsons 102, 104 byflexing of spars 134, 135. In some embodiments, body 106 may be at leastpartially decoupled in pitch from sponsons 102, 104 by one or morehinges, bearings, pivots, or joints (such as a ball joint) connectingspars 134, 135 to sponsons 102,104. In some embodiments, one or morehinges, bearings, pivots, or joints (such as a ball joint) may connectto an end plate (not shown) fixed to main spars 134, 135 to sponsons102, 104.

In some embodiments, main spars 134, 135 may be configured to contactwith one or more sponsons 102, 104 to support the mass of body 106 atrest or until aerodynamic lift is sufficient to support body 106. Insome embodiments, such support may be provided by end plates (not shown)fixed to main spars 134, 135. In some embodiments, main spars 134, 135may be configured to increase load bearing strength, for example, byhaving a substantially concave shape facing downward of ground effectcraft 600.

In some embodiments, a fore control system may include a rigid frame anda dampening system. In such an embodiment, the rigid frame may span orsubstantially span the distance between first sponson 102 and secondsponson 104. The rigid frame may be connected to first sponson 102 andsecond sponson 104 by a plurality of dampeners. The plurality ofdampeners may reduce and/or eliminate the force transmitted from, forexample, first sponson 102 to body 106. The plurality of dampeners mayinclude one or more of a plurality of springs, pneumatic cylinders,and/or dynamically or statically pressurized air bags. The plurality ofdampeners may facilitate movement of first sponson 102 relative to body106 and second sponson 104. The plurality of springs may allow movementof second sponson 104 relative to body 106 and first sponson 102. Insome embodiments, the dampeners may be mounted substantially near body106. In some embodiments, the dampeners may be mounted substantiallynear sponsons 102, 104.

Control links 612, 614, 616, and 618 may be configured to allow firstsponson 102 and/or second sponson 104 to travel relative to body 106.Control links 612, 614, 616, 618 may be rigid or flexible. In someembodiments, control links 612, 614, 616, and 618 may be of a lengthsuch that the travel of sponson 102, 104 relative to body 106 is largefor a small angle of deflection from one position of control links 612,614, 616, and 618 to another position. In some embodiments, main spars134, 135 may be configured to rest on top control links 612, 616.

Control links 612, 614, 616, 618 and supporting links 650, 652 may bedynamically connected to first sponson 102, second sponson 104, and/orbody 106 via one or more movable connections, such as, for example, oneor more hinges, bearings, pivots, or joints (such as a ball joint). Atleast one connection in the plurality of movable connections may allowmovement of sponsons 102, 104 relative to body 106. It is contemplatedthat other movable connections may be used to dynamically connectcontrol links 612, 614, 616, 618 and supporting links 650, 652 to firstand second sponsons 102, 104.

Ground effect craft 600 may include first actuator 628 and secondactuator 630. In some embodiments, first and second actuators 628, 630may be connected to top control links 612, 616. In some embodiments,first and second actuators 628, 630 may be connected to bottom controllinks 614, 618. In some embodiments, first and second actuators 628, 630may be configured to move body 106 relative to top control links 612,616. In some embodiments, first and second actuators 628, 630 may beconfigured to move body 106 relative to first and second sponsons 102,104 to raise body 106 above a planetary surface. In some embodiments,first and second actuators 628, 630 may be configured to increase thestiffness of one or more control links such that surface clearance,dampening, and/or springing rates of such links may be increased tomatch passenger and/or cargo loading of ground effect craft 600.

FIGS. 7A-7D illustrate exemplary embodiments of aerodynamic surfaces ofa ground effect craft, such as described herein. Certain features of theground effect craft are not shown or discussed in these examples wheresuch features may be similar to those discussed for other embodiments,such as, for example, those discussed herein regarding ground effectwings, control systems, and flaps.

FIG. 7A illustrates exemplary ground effect wing 700. In someembodiments, ground effect wing 700 may include a leading edge spar 704and/or a main spar 706. In some embodiments, main spar 706 may includeportions of fore control system 128. Alternatively, main spar 706 may bepositioned above or below fore control system 128. In some embodiments,ground effect wing 700 may include a trailing edge spar 708. In someembodiments, ground effect wing 700 may include ground effect flap 710.In some embodiments, ground effect flap 710 may be extendable from aposition proximate trailing edge spar 708.

Although a single ground effect wing 700 is shown in FIG. 7A, it iscontemplated that a ground effect wing me be positioned on either sideof body 106 such as ground effect wings 108, 109 in FIG. 1A. In suchcases, a single ground effect flap 710 may be coupled to both groundeffect wings, or, in some embodiments, each ground effect wing mayinclude a separate ground effect flap 710.

In some embodiments, ground effect flap 710 may include longitudinalbattens 703, 705, and transverse battens 707, 709.

In some embodiments, ground effect flap 710 may be composed of a singlepanel. In some embodiments, ground effect flap 710 may be composed of aplurality of overlapping panels, such as panels 712, 714, 716. In someembodiments, overlapping panels may be configured to permit localizeddeflection when one or more panels contacts a planetary surface and theother panels may not. In some embodiments, this may isolate a localdeflection and prevent a loss of pressure of an air cushion pressure. Insome embodiments, overlapping panels may be configured to increaseresistance of ground effect flap 710 as it deflects upwards.

In some embodiments, ground effect wing 700 may include ground effectflap 710 configured to rotate around a connection to increase liftand/or change the center of pitch of ground effect wing 700. Forexample, ground effect wing 700 may include a first flap actuator 718.Ground effect wing 700 may also include a second flap actuator 717. Insome embodiments, ground effect wing flap 710 may include one or morelongitudinal battens, such as a first longitudinal batten 703 and asecond longitudinal batten 705. In some embodiments, flap actuators 717,718, may be configured to move against first and second battens 703,705, respectively, to move ground effect flap 710. In some embodiments,flap actuators 717, 718 may include one or more electromechanicalactuators, hydraulic actuators, or pneumatic actuators. In someembodiments, the wing flap 710 may be actuated by at least onepneumatically pressurized membrane lobe.

FIG. 7B illustrates an exemplary cross-section of an exemplary groundeffect wing 750. Ground effect wing 750 may include a primary groundeffect wing 702. In some embodiments, ground effect wing 750 may includea mid-flap 752. In some embodiments, mid-flap 752 may be configured toextend from ground effect wing 750 at a location between a leading edgeand a trailing edge of ground effect wing 750. Mid-flap 752 may, in someembodiments, be configured to rotate about a connection (not shown) toground effect wing 750 forward of aft spar 708. Mid-flap 752 may, insome embodiments, be configured to rotate about a connection to groundeffect wing 750 at main spar 706. In some embodiments, mid-flap 752 mayinclude a plurality of overlapping panels, such as overlapping panels754, 756, 758, that may operate as described herein for overlappingpanels 712, 714, 716 of ground effect flap 710.

In some embodiments mid-flap 752 may be configured to alter the positionof the center of pressure of the ground effect craft wing 750. Forexample, at a slower speed, mid-flap 752 may operate to rotate downwardand/or upward in the direction of rotation R, relative to ground effectwing 702 to move the center of pressure of the ground effect craftsubstantially forward and/or to control the pitch of the bow of body 106relative to a planetary surface. At a faster speed, for example,mid-flap 752 may be configured to operate to rotate upward towards aground effect wing to move the center of pressure substantially aft on aground effect craft and/or to reduce drag, such as hydrodynamic drag.Ground effect wing 750 may, in some embodiments, include a middle flapactuator 751 configured to move mid-flap 752 relative to primary groundeffect wing 702. In some embodiments, mid-flap 752 may be configured tooperate in conjunction with ground effect wing flap 710 to change thecenter of pressure and/or pitch of ground effect wing 750. In someembodiments, the mid-flap actuator 751 may be controlled by automaticcontrol systems including an autopilot which actuates relative tocushion pressure.

FIG. 7C illustrates an exemplary embodiment of aft ground effect wing740. FIG. 7C shows a non-limiting example of aft ground effect wing 210.Aft ground effect wing 740 may include an aft ground effect wing flap729. Aft ground effect wing flap 729 may rotate around a connection toaft ground effect wing 740. In some embodiments, aft ground effect wing740 may include a plurality of overlapping panels, similar to theoverlapping panels 712, 714, 716 of ground effect flap 710 to, forexample, permit localized deflection when one or more panels contacts aplanetary surface, when other panels do not. In some embodiments, aftground effect wing 740 may include lateral and longitudinal battens. Insome embodiments, aft ground effect wing 740 may include endplates toentrap air beneath aft ground effect wing 740 and/or to increasestiffness. In some embodiments, the endplates may be of a reverse deltaplanform to provide clearance from disturbances, such as marine driveprop-wash. For example, the endplates may be tapered inward towards therear of aft ground effect wing 740 when viewed from above, creating atrapezoidal or substantially triangular profile of the aft ground effectwing. In some embodiments, the sides or endplates (not numbered) may betapered inwardly towards the top surface of aft ground effect wing 740.

In some embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 7C, aft ground effect wing722 may include a rotating member 748. In some embodiments, rotatingmember 748 may include aft control link, such as aft control link 658 asdiscussed in reference to FIG. 6A. In some embodiments, rotating member748 may connect to actuators 741, 742 configured to rotate aft groundeffect wing flap 729 upward or downward, such as in a directionillustrated by rotation R, to control a lift generated by aft groundeffect wing 740. In some embodiments, rotating member 748 may connect toactuators 741, 742 configured to rotate aft ground effect wing 740upward or downward, such as in a direction illustrated by rotation R, tocontrol a lift generated by aft ground effect wing 740.

FIG. 7D illustrates an exemplary cross-section of an exemplaryconfiguration 760 of fore ground effect wing 702 and aft ground effectwing 722. Aft ground effect wing 722 may include aft ground effect flap738. In some embodiments, aft ground effect wing 722 may connect to oneor more of actuators 741, 742, 744 configured to move aft ground effectwing flap 738 in a direction indicated by R2.

A ground effect craft may include a flap to increase control of thecenter of pressure of the ground effect wing 760. In some embodiments,at a slower speed, a fore ground effect flap 710 may operate to rotate,such as in a direction illustrated by rotation R1, away from the groundeffect wing to move the center of pressure substantially forward on aground effect craft and/or to raise the front of a body (not shown)relative to a planetary surface. In some embodiments, at a higher speed,fore ground effect flap 710 may operate to rotate towards a groundeffect wing and away from the planetary surface to move the center ofpressure aft on the ground effect craft and/or reduce hydrodynamic drag.In some embodiments, fore ground effect wing 702 may include a foreground effect actuator 717 to move fore ground effect flap 710 around aconnection to fore ground effect wing 702. In some embodiments, foreground effect flap 710 may operate in conjunction with aft ground effectwing flap 738 to change the center of pitch of the ground effect craft,increase lift, and/or reduce drag. In some embodiments, fore groundeffect flap 710 may be configured to be deflected by aerodynamicpressure and/or a mechanism, such as an actuating mechanism. In someembodiments, fore ground effect flap 710 may be configured to directand/or restrict airflow towards aft ground effect wing 722. For example,the movement of fore ground effect wing 702, such as fore ground effectflap 710, may direct air towards aft ground effect wing 722 when, forexample, a trailing edge of fore ground effect wing 702/flap 710increases in height above the planetary surface. This increase in heightmay cause the air at fore ground effect wing 702 to pass to aft groundeffect wing 722 and increase a lift of aft ground effect wing 722,thereby stabilizing the ground effect craft and/or generating lift. Insome embodiments, deflection of the flap may be controlled by a flexuralmodulus or laminate modulus of the ground effect wing and/or groundeffect flap 710.

In some embodiments, aft ground effect wing 722 may be configured togenerate lift when at least a portion of fore ground effect wing 702,such as fore ground effect flap 710, moves to a height above a planetarysurface. For example, as a portion of fore ground effect wing 702, suchas a trailing edge of the wing or fore ground effect flap 710, liftsabove the planetary surface airflow passes from fore ground effect wing702 to aft ground effect wing 722, which generates lift at aft groundeffect wing 722. The generation of lift at aft ground effect wing 722causes sponsons 102, 104 to pitch downward, thereby mitigatingdestabilization and stabilizing sponsons 102, 104 and the ground effectcraft.

In some embodiments, the portion of fore ground effect wing 702, such asfore ground effect wing flap 710, may be configured to move to a heightabove the planetary surface via a mechanism, flexure of the wing and/orflap, increased aerodynamically induced pressure, and/or an attitude ofa ground effect craft. For example, in some embodiments, a modulus ofthe portion of fore ground effect wing 702 may be such that the portionof the wing automatically deflects when a certain air pressure isreached at fore ground effect wing 702. In some embodiments, the modulusis determined by a materials property of portion of the wing. In someembodiments, the materials property may result from a composite orlaminate schedule determining the modulus. The modulus may be varied fordifferent applications or specifications for a desired deflection point.

In some embodiments, flexure modulus or materials property may bedesigned to provide a predetermined resistance to deflection at varyingaerodynamic pressures. In some embodiments, the modulus or property maybe defined by a composite or laminate schedule. In some embodiments, thecomposite or laminate may be configured to have an increased stiffnessat an interior portion of the wing or flap portion and a decreasedstiffness at an edge portion of the wing or flap portion. In someembodiments, the laminate may be configured to have an increasedstiffness at an edge portion of the wing or flap portion and a decreasedstiffness at an interior portion of the wing or flap portion.

In some embodiments, the deflection of at least a portion of fore groundeffect wing 702 may be controlled by a mechanism, such as an actuatingmechanism, resistive mechanism, or reinforcing members. The mechanismmay be configured to control the deflection at certain pressures topermit air to flow to aft ground effect wing 722. In some embodiments, acompression or dampening mechanism, or flexure resistance of theresistive mechanism or reinforcing members, may control the deflectionof at least a portion of fore ground effect wing 702. In someembodiments, a pneumatic mechanism may be configured to compress aspressure on fore ground effect wing 702 increases, such that at acertain pressure the resistance of the compression or dampeningmechanism is overcome, thereby deflecting the portion of fore groundeffect wing 702 above the planetary surface and directing airflow to aftground effect wing 722. Similarly, as pressure on fore ground effectwing 702 increases, the increased pressure may overcome a flexureresistance of the resistive or reinforcing members, causing them to flexand permit deflecting the portion of fore ground effect wing 702 abovethe planetary surface and directing airflow to aft ground effect wing722. In some embodiments, a combination of modulus or materialsproperties of the wing and a mechanism may be used. Such embodiments maybe configured to permit the portion of fore ground effect wing 702 toautomatically direct airflow to aft ground effect wing 722, for examplewithout an electronic control system. In some embodiments, thedeflection may be controlled by an electronic control system.

In some embodiments, at least one of; flap 710, flap segments 712, 714,716, mid-flap 752, mid-flap segments 754, 756, 758 and aft ground effectwing 722 may include a dynamic seal. In some embodiments, the dynamicseal may include one or more seals, such as, for example, discussedherein, to dynamically seal with sponsons 102, 104.

FIGS. 8A-8G illustrate exemplary embodiments of seals configurationsbetween ground effect wing 806 and sponsons 802,804. Certain features ofthe ground effect craft herein are not shown or discussed in theseexamples where such features may be similar to those discussed for otherembodiments. For example, in some embodiments, ground effect wing 806may contain one or more of the grounds effect wing features discussedherein. In some embodiments, the seal configurations of ground effectwing 806 and sponsons 802 or 804, may be used to seal the various flapembodiments discussed herein. Ground effect wing 806 may be similar tothe disclosure of ground effect wings 108, 109, or any other groundeffect wing disclosed herein. The seal may be configured to allow formovement of sponsons 802, 804 relative to ground effect wing 108 and/or109, thereby maintaining the seal to entrap air and generate lift whensponsons 802, 804 deflect relative to the ground effect wing. It iscontemplated that sealing examples in FIGS. 8A-8G may be used incombination with one another or alone in various embodiments describedherein. In some embodiments, the seal may include a preformed seal. Insome embodiments, the seal may comprise Teflon, rubber, high densitymolecular plastic seal, and/or other suitable material.

FIG. 8A illustrates an exemplary sealing configuration 800. In someembodiments, ground effect wing 806 may include first endplate 808 andsecond endplate 810. Endplates 808, 810 may be configured to entrap airbeneath ground effect wing 806 while the ground effect craft is inmotion, thereby producing lift. Endplates 808, 810 may be configured toextend downward to be substantially adjacent to a portion of sponsons802, 804 when sponsons 802, 804 move relative to ground effect wing 806,such as in pitch and/or heave. In some embodiments, first endplate 808may include a first planing surface 812. In some embodiments, secondendplate 810 may include a second planing surface 814. Planing surfaces812, 814 may reduce drag if the planing surfaces touch a planetarysurface, such as water.

As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, first endplate 808 may be separated aseparation distance 816 from first sponson 802, and second endplate 810may be separated a separation distance 816 from second sponson 804.Separation distance 816 may be sufficient to allow sponsons 802, 804 tomove relative to ground effect wing 806 without contacting ground effectwing 806. In some embodiments, separation distance 816 may besufficiently small to maintain an air cushion beneath ground effect wing806 even though some air may pass through separation distance 816. Insome embodiments, at least one overlapping and/or telescoping slidingplate (not shown) may extend from endplates 808, 810 to increase thesealed travel of ground effect wing 806 with respect to the dynamicmovement of sponsons 802, 804 while maintaining the air cushion. Suchsliding plates may be configured to slide on the inside of endplates808, 810, thereby the pressure of the air cushion acts to maintain theseal.

In some embodiments, sponsons 802, 804 may include substantially flatsurfaces facing endplate 808, 810 to provide a surface to seal airbeneath ground effect wing 806. In some embodiments, sponsons 802, 804may include interior surfaces that are configured to form a surfacealong which endplates 808, 810 may move while mitigating cushionpressure loss from underneath ground effect wing 806. Such interiorsurfaces may include, for example, an inner surface of the sponsonvertical stabilizers.

FIG. 8B illustrates exemplary movement of second sponson 804 relative toground effect wing 806 and first sponson 802 in FIG. 8A when secondsponson 804 moves in heave direction 801. For example, FIG. 8Billustrates second sponson 804 displaced upwards relative to groundeffect wing 806 and first sponson 802 while separation distance 816remains substantially small and/or negligible so as to entrap air andgenerate lift.

FIG. 8C illustrates another exemplary sealing configuration 820.Configuration 820 may include a first seal 832 and a second seal 834.Ground effect wing 806, first endplate 808, first seal 832, secondendplate 810, and second seal 834 may be configured to entrap airbeneath ground effect wing 806. For example, second seal 834 may extendfrom an inside surface of sponson 804 to a surface of second endplate810. First and second seals 832, 834 may be configured to eliminateand/or reduce airflow from an area below ground effect wing 806 to anarea above ground effect wing 806.

FIG. 8D shows another exemplary sealing configuration 820 relative toground effect wing 806 and first sponson 802 in FIG. 8C when secondsponson 804 moves in heave direction 801. For example, FIG. 8Dillustrates second sponson 804 displaced upwards relative to groundeffect wing 806 and first sponson 802 in direction 801. First seal 832may be connected to first sponson 802. Second seal 834 may be connectedto second sponson 804. First and second seals 832, 834 may be movable,such that seals 832, 834 may be configured to move with first and secondsponsons 802, 804, respectively, when sponsons 802, 804 move relative toground effect wing 806, such as shown in FIG. 8D. For example, secondseal 834 may move relative to ground effect wing 806 when second sponson804 moves in heave and/or, as shown in FIG. 8D.

FIG. 8E illustrates another exemplary sealing configuration 835. Unlikeconfiguration 820, in configuration 835 may include a first seal 836 anda second seal 838 that are fixed to the end plates 808, 810. Sponsons802, 804 may move relative to seals 836, 838 and ground effect wing 806,for example, when second sponson 804 moves in heave and/or pitch, asshown in FIG. 8E.

FIG. 8F illustrates another exemplary sealing configuration 840.Configuration 840 may include a first membrane 842 and a second membrane844. First and second membranes 842, 844 may be connected to first andsecond sponsons 802, 804, respectively, and ground effect wing 806. Asshown in FIG. 8F, ground effect wing 806 may not include end plates 808,810 for connecting to membranes 842, 844. First and second membranes842, 844 may be flexible to allow movement of first and second sponsons802, 804, relative to ground effect wing 806 and each other without thefriction or resistance associated with other types of seals, such as inconfigurations 820 and 835, such as when sponson 804 moves in heaveand/or pitch, as shown in FIG. 8D. The entrapped air along the surfacesof ground effect wing 806 and first and second membranes 842, 844 maygenerate aerodynamic lift and/or reduce drag.

FIG. 8G illustrates another exemplary sealing configuration 860.Configuration 860 may include a first endplate 868, a first membrane872, a second endplate 870, and a second membrane 874. First and secondmembranes 872, 874 may be configured to connect first and secondendplates 868, 870 to first and second sponsons 802, 804. Ground effectwing 806, first endplate 868, first membrane 872, second endplate 870,and second membrane 874 may be configured to entrap air below groundeffect wing 806. The entrapped air along the surfaces of the groundeffect wing and the first and second membranes may generate aerodynamiclift and/or reduce drag.

In some embodiments, a membrane seal (such as the examples in FIGS. 8Fand 8G) may comprise a break-away connection, such as, for example hookand loop fasteners or break-away stitching, configured to detach themembrane from the sponson and/or ground effect wing at certain angles orrotations. Such detachment, for example, may prevent a pitched sponsonfrom pitching the ground effect wing when the membrane seal is at thelimits of travel and/or fully taut.

In some embodiments, a skirt (not shown) may be attached to sponsons802, 804 and/or ground effect wing 806 and may enclose and/or partiallyenclose the air chamber beneath ground effect wing 806. In someembodiments, the skirt may be inflatable. In some embodiments, the skirtmay retract when the ground effect craft is in motion. In someembodiments, the skirt may maintain and/or increase air pressure beneathground effect wing 806.

FIGS. 9A-9D illustrate an exemplary embodiment of sponson 900 of aground effect craft. In some embodiments, it is contemplated that FIG. 9is non-limiting example that applies to sponsons 102, 104 and othersponsons discussed herein. Certain features of ground effect craftdiscussed herein are not shown or discussed in these examples where suchfeatures may be similar to those discussed for other embodiments.

Sponson 900 may include bottom surfaces that include deadrise thatvaries along the length of sponson 900. Deadrise is angle formed betweenthe bottom of a hull of sponson 900 and a horizontal plane. Sponson 900may include bottom surfaces with varying deadrise to reduce hydrodynamicimpact loads. Higher deadrise angles increase hydrodynamic drag butreduce hydrodynamic impact loads. Lower deadrise angles reducehydrodynamic drag but increase hydrodynamic impact loads. In someembodiments, deadrise may change along the length of sponson 900. Insome embodiments, the lowest deadrise angle is at or about the overallground effect craft longitudinal center of gravity and increases bothfore and aft of the longitudinal center of gravity. In some embodiments,sponson 900 has an increased deadrise where the pitching moments haveincreased leverage about the longitudinal center of gravity and therebyincreases longitudinal stability. In some embodiments, sponson 900 mayinclude transverse and longitudinal steps along its length. In someembodiments, the sponson may include a lateral profile that minimizes alateral surface area towards the fore of sponson 900. In someembodiments, the sponson may include a lateral profile that maximizes alateral surface area towards the aft of sponson 900. In someembodiments, the sponson may have a lateral profile that minimizes thefore lateral surface area and maximizes the aft lateral surface area,thereby providing a center of lateral resistance of the sponson isproximate to the center of gravity of the sponson. The center of gravityof the sponson may be associated with the mass the sponson, includingthe mass or weight of an engine or other propulsion device.

FIG. 9B shows a cross section B-B of sponson 900. In some embodiments,sponson 900 may have an increased deadrise 81 towards the front of thesponson, such as at cross section B-B. FIG. 9C shows a cross section C-Cof sponson 900. In some embodiments, sponson 900 may have a decreaseddeadrise 82 towards the center of sponson 900, such as at cross sectionC-C. FIG. 9D shows a cross section D-D of sponson 900. In someembodiments, sponson 900 may have an increased deadrise 83 towards therear of sponson 900, such as at cross section D-D. It is alsocontemplated that, in some embodiments, deadrise may increase ordecrease from front to rear of sponson 900 such as from cross-sectionB-B to cross-section D-D.

FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate exemplary embodiments of a ground effect craft.Certain features of ground effect craft discussed herein are not shownor discussed in these examples where such features may be similar tothose discussed for other embodiments. FIG. 10A illustrates groundeffect wings 108, 109 connecting to a first side and a second side ofbody 106. FIG. 10B illustrates ground effect wing 1010 connected to thebottom of body 106. FIG. 10C illustrates ground effect wing 1010substantially below body 106.

FIGS. 11A-11B show exemplary methods of stabilizing a ground effectcraft. The order and arrangement of steps in methods 1100 and 1140 areprovided for purposes of illustration. As will be appreciated from thisdisclosure, modifications may be made to method 1100 and 1140 by, forexample, adding, combining, removing, and/or rearranging the steps formethods 1100 and 1140.

FIG. 11A shows a method of stabilizing a ground effect craft, method1100. Method 1100 may include a step 1102 of generating lift via a firstground effect wing. For example, the ground effect craft may move acrossa planetary surface and generate lift under the first ground effectwing, such as fore ground effect wings 108, 109. Generating lift via afirst ground effect wing may be substantially independent of heaveand/or pitch movement of a plurality of sponsons of the ground effectcraft. In some embodiments, method 1100 may include a step 1104 ofstabilizing the body by dynamically coupling of a first sponson and asecond sponson to the body. For example, the ground effect craft mayinclude a fore control system 128, that dynamically couples the body toa plurality of sponsons. In some embodiments, he sponsons may bedynamically coupled to each other by an aft control system 130. In someembodiments, the first ground effect wing may be a fore ground effectwing. In some embodiments, the stabilizing via dynamic coupling mayinclude at least partially isolating the movement of one sponson fromthe movement of the body and/or the other sponson. In some embodiments,this may include dynamic coupling such that a force imparted on onesponson is not substantially transferred to the body or the othersponson. In some embodiments, method 1100 may include a step 1106 ofgenerating lift via a second ground effect wing, such as an aft groundeffect wing. In some embodiments, the first ground effect wing maysubstantially restrict airflow and/or direct airflow towards the secondground effect wing. In some embodiments, the second ground effect wingmay be configured to generate lift when the first ground effect wingmoves to a height above a planetary surface that, for example, allowsairflow to reach the second ground effect wing. For example, the firstground effect wing may move to a height above the planetary surface viaan actuating mechanism, flexure of the wing and/or flap, increasedaerodynamically induced pressure, and/or an attitude of a ground effectcraft. In some embodiments, airflow is directed towards the secondground effect wing when the first ground effect wing increases a heightof a flap of the first ground effect wing, which deflects (for example,by flexure of the flap, an actuating movement, and/or aerodynamicallyinduced pressure acting upon the wing, flap, and/or flap reinforcingmembers), to generate increased lift of the second ground effect wing.In some embodiments, the second ground effect wing may be configured toprovide lift to the plurality of sponsons. In some embodiments, thesecond lifting force may be configured to provide lift at a location aftof a longitudinal center of gravity of the ground effect craft and alongitudinal center of gravity of the sponsons, thereby creating astabilizing downwards pitching moment upon the sponsons. The secondlifting force may be configured to counteract an unstable moment of theground effect craft. Method 1100 may optionally include a step (notshown) of stabilizing the ground effect craft via a stabilizing surface(not shown) configured to overcome an unstable moment of the groundeffect craft.

FIG. 11B shows a method of stabilizing a ground effect craft, method1140. Method 1140 may include a step of generating a lifting force 1142.For example, ground effect craft 100 may move across a planetary surfaceand generate lift under the ground effect wing, such as fore groundeffect wings 108, 109. In some embodiments, fore ground effect wings108, 109 may be configured to lift body 106 to reduce drag. In someembodiments, fore ground effect wings 108, 109 may be configured to liftbody 106 to stabilize the ground effect craft such that movement ofsponsons 102, 104 are not substantially transmitted to body 106. In someembodiments, method 1140 may include a step of stabilizing a body via acontrol system dynamically coupling the body to the first sponson andthe second sponson 1144. For example, ground effect craft 100 mayinclude fore control system 128 that operates to dynamically couple body106 to sponsons 102, 104, thereby allowing the pitch and heave ofsponsons 102, 104 relative to each other and body 106. In someembodiments, method 1140 may include a step of stabilizing a body viadynamically coupling the first sponson to the second sponson 1145. Forexample, ground effect craft 100 may include aft control system 130 thatoperates to dynamically couple sponsons 102, 104, thereby allowing thepitch and heave of sponsons 102, 104 relative to each other. In someembodiments, method 1140 may include a step of deflecting a firstsponson in the plurality of sponsons in response to a force imparted bya planetary surface 1148. For example, fore and aft control systems 128,130 may be configured to allow substantial movement of a sponson, suchas sponson 102, relative to body 106 and sponson 104 withoutsubstantially transmitting the motion of sponson 102 to body 106 andsponson 104. In some embodiments, method 1140 may include stabilizingthe body via a stabilizing wing coupled to the body. For example, theground effect craft may include a stabilizing wing, such as stabilizingwing 310. In some embodiments, stabilizing wing 310 may include controlsurfaces, such as control surfaces 320, 322, 324, 326, 336, 338, and 340to substantially direct airflow to counteract an unstable moment on body106. In some embodiments, stabilizing wing 310 may be configured togenerate lift, thereby reducing the impact on body 106 of sponsons 102,104 striking an obstacle, a perturbation, and/or a planetary surface.

FIGS. 12A-12C show non-limiting examples of a folding feature of aground effect craft 1200. The exemplary folding features 1200 of theground effect craft may be configured to reduce a footprint or width ofground effect craft 1200, such as by folding, retracting, and/orcollapsing one or more components. Some features of ground effect craft1200, such as body 106 and ground effect wings 108, 109, are not shownor discussed in these examples where such features may be similar tothose discussed for other embodiments.

FIG. 12A illustrates an exemplary folding feature 1200 of a groundeffect craft. In some embodiments, control systems of the ground effectcraft may be similar to the disclosure of control system 128, or anyother control system disclosed herein. The ground effect craft mayinclude first sponson 102 and second sponson 104 coupled to the body(not shown) by a first lateral control link 1222 and a second lateralcontrol link 1224. First lateral control link 1222 may be connected tofirst sponson 102 at a first sponson connection 1226 and at the body ata first body connection 1230. First lateral control link 1222 and secondlateral control link 1224 may be configured to move about first sponsonconnection 1226, first body connection 1230, second sponson connection1228, and second body connection 1232, thereby causing first and secondsponsons 102, 104 to move inwardly towards the centerline of body 106and thereby reduce a lateral footprint of the ground effect craft. Insome embodiments, the movement of first and second sponsons 102, 104 maybe independent of each other, such that they may be moved relativelycloser to the centerline of body 106 by different amounts. In someembodiments, actuating mechanisms (not shown) may be configured to moveand/or allow movement of first and second lateral control links 1222,1224 about first and second sponsons connections 1226, 1228, and firstand second body connections 1230, 1232.

In some embodiments first and second lateral control links 1222, 1224may be part of fore control system 128.

In some embodiments, sponsons 102, 104 may be coupled by an aft lateralcontrol link 1234. Aft lateral control link 1234 may be connected tofirst sponson 102 and second sponson 104 at a first aft sponsonconnection 1240 and a second aft sponson connection 1242, respectively.Aft lateral control link 1234 may be configured move about aft sponsonsconnections 1240, 1242 to allow first and second sponsons 102, 104 tomove inwardly towards the centerline of body 106 and thereby reduce alateral footprint of ground effect craft 1200. In some embodiments, aftlateral control link 1234 may include one or more movable links, such asa first movable link 1236 and a second movable link 1238, shown on FIG.12A. First and second movable links 1236, 1238 may be configured toallow portions of aft lateral control link 1234 to fold inwardly so asto allow first and second sponsons 102, 104 to move inwardly towards thecenterline of body 106 and thereby reduce a lateral footprint of groundeffect craft 1200. In some embodiments, actuating mechanisms (not shown)may be configured to move and/or allow movement of aft lateral controllink 1234 about first and second aft sponson connections 1242, 1240and/or first and second movable links 1236, 1238 relative to aft link1234.

In some embodiments, aft lateral control link 1234 may be part of aftcontrol system 130.

FIG. 12B illustrates a more detailed embodiment of a portion of a forecontrol system of a ground effect craft. In some embodiments, the forecontrol systems of the ground effect craft may be similar to forecontrol system 128, or any other control system disclosed herein. Thefore control system may include first lateral control link 1222, secondlateral control link 1224, a third lateral control link 1241, and afourth lateral control link 1242 connecting sponsons 102, 104 to body106. In some embodiments, a first fore actuator 1244 and a second foreactuator 1246 may connect first and second lateral control links 1222,1224 to body 106. First and second actuators 1244, 1246 may beconfigured to allow movement of lateral control links 1222, 1224 so asto allow first and second sponsons 102, 104 to move inwardly towards thecenterline of body 106 and thereby reduce a lateral footprint of theground effect craft. In some embodiments, the movement of fore actuators1244, 1246 around first and second connections 1248, 1250 may allowfirst and second sponsons 102, 104 to move inwardly towards thecenterline of body 106 without removing or disconnecting fore actuators1244, 1246.

In some embodiments lateral control links 1222, 1224, 1241, and 1242 maybe part of control system 128. In some embodiments, actuators 1244, 1246may be similar to actuators 628, 630 described herein.

FIG. 12C illustrates a more detailed embodiment of a portion of an aftcontrol system of a ground effect craft. In some embodiments, the aftcontrol systems of the ground effect craft may be similar to aft controlsystem 130, or any other control system disclosed herein. FIG. 12Cillustrates one side of an aft control system, such as described in FIG.12A, relating to sponson 102. In some embodiments, aft lateral controllink 1234 may include an aft actuator 1254 coupling sponson 102 to aftlateral control link 1234, for example, via aft actuator mount 1258. Insome embodiments, aft actuator mount 1258 may include movable connection1256 configured to allow aft actuator mount 1258 to rotate as aftactuator link 1234 moves, for example, about aft sponson connection 1240of FIG. 12A. The movement of aft actuators 1254 around movableconnection 1256 allows first sponson 102 to move inwardly towards thecenterline of body 106 without removing or disconnecting aft actuator1254. In some embodiments, sponson 104 may include a similar foldingfeature with similar components.

In some embodiments, aft lateral control link 1234 may be part of aftcontrol system 130. In some embodiments, aft actuator 1254 may besimilar to aft actuator 741 described herein. It is contemplated thatother actuating methods may be used, such as a rotary actuator.

FIGS. 13A-13F show example embodiments of folding features of a groundeffect craft. Certain features of the ground effect craft herein are notshown or discussed in these examples where such features may be similarto those discussed for other embodiments. The exemplary folding featuresof ground effect craft discussed in FIGS. 13A-13F may be configured toreduce a footprint, such as a length, and/or a width of the groundeffect craft, such as by folding, retracting, and/or collapsing one ormore components. Some features of ground effect craft discussed in FIGS.13A-13F, such as body 106 and ground effect wings 108, 109, may not beshown or described where such features may be similar to those of groundeffect craft 100, 150, 200, 300, 400, 1200, or other ground effect craftdiscussed herein.

FIG. 13A illustrates an exemplary folding feature 1300 of an embodimentof a ground effect craft. The ground effect craft may include a foldingfeature 1300 for folding, moving, and/or retracting first ground effectwing 108 and second ground effect wing 109. As shown in FIG. 13A, groundeffect wings 108, 109 may be configured to retract or fold towards body106 as sponsons 102, 104 move towards the centerline of body 106,thereby reducing a lateral footprint of the ground effect craft. Forexample, ground effect wings 108, 109 may include spars (not shown) thatallow ground effect wings 108, 109 to fold about a hinge, bearing,pivot, or joint (such as a ball joint), such as when ground effect wings108, 109 include rigid or semi-rigid structures. In some embodiments,such as when ground effect wings include flexible or semi-flexiblestructures, such as a membrane, spars and joints or pivots may not benecessary because the flexible nature of the ground effect wings allowsfor folding. In some embodiments, a flexible or semi-flexible membranewing may be connected to structures via a detachable fastener, such as ahook and loop fastener, a zipper, break-away connections, and/or otherfastening method to allow simplified folding.

In some embodiments, first ground effect wing 108 and second groundeffect wing 109 may include first endplate 1302 and second endplate1304, respectively. In some embodiments, first and second endplates1301, 1303 may include rigid or semi-rigid structures that hinge, fold,rotate, or pivot around an edge of ground effect wings 108, 109, therebyreducing a lateral footprint of the ground effect craft. First andsecond endplates 1301, 1303 may be similar to endplates first and secondendplates 808, 810 of FIGS. 8A-8E and 8G.

FIG. 13B illustrates an exemplary folding feature 1301 of an embodimentof a ground effect craft. The ground effect craft may include a foldingfeature 1301 for folding aft ground effect wing 210. FIG. 13Billustrates an exemplary aft ground effect wing 210 that may beconfigured to fold and/or retract as sponsons 102, 104 move towards thecenterline of body 106, thereby reducing a lateral footprint of theground effect craft. In some embodiments, ground effect wing 210 mayinclude first and second end portions 1312, 1314. In some embodiments,first and second end portions 1312, 1314 may fold and/or retract towardsaft ground effect wing 210.

FIG. 13C illustrates an exemplary folding feature 1350 of an embodimentof a ground effect craft. FIG. 13C illustrates exemplary ground effectcraft in a partially folded position. The ground effect craft mayinclude, for example, stabilizing wing 1310. The ground effect craft mayinclude a folding feature 1350 for folding and/or retracting stabilizingwing 1310. In some embodiments, stabilizing wing 1310 may include afirst leading edge 1302 and a second leading edge 1304. First and secondleading edges 1302, 1304 may be configured rotate relative to body 106so as to allow stabilizing wing 1310 to retract and/or fold towards thecenterline of body 106, thereby reducing a lateral footprint of theground effect craft. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 13C,stabilizing wing 1310 may include a first trailing spar 1306 and asecond trailing spar 1308 near a trailing edge of stabilizing wing 1310configured to fold the trailing edge. For example, as the outer tips ofleading edges 1302, 1304 may be configured to fold or swing backwardstowards the rear of stabilizing wing 1310. To accommodate this movement,trailing spars 1306, 1308 may be configured to fold so that leadingedges 1302, 1304 can approach body 106 as folding occurs. In suchembodiments, a surface of stabilizing wing 1310 may be a flexible orsemi-flexible material so as to permit folding of the wing surface. Inembodiments in which a surface of stabilizing wing 1310 is a rigid orsemi-rigid material, the wing surface may be segmented, creased, orconfigured to fold so as to accommodate the folding of the wing surface.

FIG. 13D illustrates an exemplary folding feature 1350 of an embodimentof a ground effect craft. FIG. 13D illustrates exemplary ground effectcraft in a partially-folded position subsequent to the positionillustrated in FIG. 13C. In some embodiments, leading edges 1302, 1304may be positioned near or within the lateral width of sponsons 102, 104and/or body 106, thereby reducing a lateral footprint of the groundeffect craft. In some embodiments, leading edges 1302, 1304 may move toa position substantially parallel to body 106. It is furthercontemplated that portions of leading edges 1302, 1304 may connectand/or lock with portions of stabilizing wing 1310 so that, for example,the leading edges 1302, 1304 cannot be disturbed in a way that mayinflict damage on the ground effect craft.

FIG. 13E illustrates an exemplary folding feature 1351 of an embodimentof a ground effect craft. FIG. 13E illustrates an exemplary groundeffect craft in another partially folded position. The ground effectcraft may include a folding feature 1351 for folding, moving, and/orretracting stabilizing wing 1310. In some embodiments, stabilizing wing1310 may include a connection 1320 that connects stabilizing wing 1310to body 106, such that stabilizing wing 1310 may move and/or rotateabout connection 1320. In such embodiments, the rotation may therebyreduce the longitudinal footprint of the ground effect craft. In someembodiments, body 106 may include at least one actuating mechanismconfigured to rotate stabilizing wing 1310 about connection 1320.

FIG. 13F illustrates an exemplary folding feature 1351 of an embodimentof a ground effect craft. FIG. 13F illustrates an exemplary groundeffect craft in a folded position subsequent to the position illustratedin FIG. 13E. In some embodiments, stabilizing wing 1310 may beconfigured to move to a position substantially adjacent to body 106, soas to reduce a longitudinal footprint of the ground effect craft. Insome embodiments, leading edges 1302, 1304 may be configured to move toa position substantially parallel to body 106 so as to reduce a lateraland/or longitudinal footprint of the ground effect craft. It is furthercontemplated that portions of stabilizing wing 1310 may connect and/orlock with portions of body 106 and/or sponsons 102/104 so that, forexample, the stabilizing wing cannot be moved in a way that may inflictdamage on the ground effect craft.

FIG. 13G illustrates an exemplary folding feature 1360 of an embodimentof a ground effect craft. Folding feature 1360 may include a mechanismfor folding and/or retracting sponsons 102, 104. For example, in someembodiments, first and second sponsons 102, 104 may include a firstpivot portion 1352 and a second pivot portion 1354. Pivot portions 1352,1354 may be configured to permit a portion of sponsons 102, 104 torotate in a way that reduces a longitudinal footprint of the groundeffect craft. For example, a front portion of sponsons 102, 104 mayrotate towards the aft of the ground effect craft, such as towards body106. In some embodiments, sponsons 102, 104 may include at least oneactuating mechanism configured to rotate the portion of the sponsonsabout pivot portions 1352, 1354. Folding feature 1360 may include amechanism for folding, moving, and/or retracting canards 142, 146. Insome embodiments, first and second canards 142, 146 may include a firstand a second pivot portion (not numbered in FIG. 13G). The pivotportions of canards 142, 146 may be configured to permit a portion ofcanards 142, 146 to rotate, thereby reducing a lateral footprint of theground effect craft. In some embodiments, body 106 may include at leastone actuating mechanism configured to rotate the canard pivot portions.Folding feature 1360 may include a mechanism for folding, moving, and/orhorizontal stabilizer wings 120, 122. In some embodiments, first andsecond horizontal stabilizer wings 120, 122 may include a third and afourth pivot portion (not numbered in FIG. 13G). The pivot portions ofhorizontal stabilizer wings 120, 122 may be configured to permit aportion of the stabilizer wings to rotate, thereby reducing a lateralfootprint of the ground effect craft. In some embodiments, body 106 mayinclude at least one actuating mechanism configured to rotate the canardstabilizer wing pivot portions.

It is understood that while certain embodiments are discussed tofacilitate understanding of various principles and aspects of thisdisclosure, the embodiments are not described in isolation and thedescriptions are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Thus, it iscontemplated and understood that described features of principles of anyembodiment may be incorporated into other embodiments.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made to the disclosed ground effectcraft, forward ground effect wing, aft ground effect wing, stabilizingwing, and control system, method of stabilizing a ground effect craft,and method of generating lift for a ground effect craft. Whileillustrative embodiments have been described herein, the scope of theinvention includes any and all embodiments having equivalent elements,modifications, omissions, combinations (e.g., of aspects across variousembodiments), adaptations and/or alterations as would be appreciated bythose skilled in the art based on the present disclosure. Thelimitations in the claims are to be interpreted broadly based on thelanguage employed in the claims and not limited to examples described inthe present specification or during the prosecution of the application,which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive. Further, the stepsof the disclosed methods may be modified in any manner, including byreordering steps and/or inserting or deleting steps, without departingfrom the principles of the invention. It is intended, therefore, thatthe specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with atrue scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the followingclaims and their full scope of equivalents.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A ground effect craft comprising: a body; asponson dynamically coupled to the body, wherein the sponson isconfigured to move relative to the body; and a dynamic seal configured,when there is relative airflow across a lift surface, to maintain orincrease pressure under the lift surface during movement of the sponsonrelative to the body, wherein the dynamic seal is at least one ofsubstantially adjacent to the sponson or is between the lift surface andthe sponson.
 2. The ground effect craft of claim 1, wherein the dynamicseal comprises an end plate configured to entrap air beneath the liftsurface.
 3. The ground effect craft of claim 1, wherein the dynamic sealcomprises a seal configured to move with the sponson relative to thelift surface.
 4. The ground effect craft of claim 1, wherein the dynamicseal comprises a seal configured to move with the lift surface relativeto the sponson.
 5. The ground effect craft of claim 1, wherein thedynamic seal comprises a membrane.
 6. The ground effect craft of claim1, wherein the dynamic seal is configured to generate lift.
 7. Theground effect craft of claim 1, wherein the dynamic seal comprises abreak-away connection.
 8. The ground effect craft of claim 1, whereinthe lift surface comprises a membrane.
 9. The ground effect craft ofclaim 1, wherein the sponson comprises a substantially vertical surface.10. The ground effect craft of claim 1, wherein the body is connected tothe lift surface.
 11. The ground effect craft of claim 1, wherein thedynamic seal comprises an extendable endplate.
 12. The ground effectcraft of claim 1, wherein the dynamic seal comprises a first panel and asecond panel, wherein the second panel overlaps the first panel and thesecond panel is configured to move relative to the first panel.
 13. Theground effect craft of claim 1, wherein the dynamic seal comprises adownward extending surface configured to entrap air below the liftsurface when the lift surface moves relative to the sponson.
 14. Theground effect craft of claim 1, wherein the lift surface is configuredto move relative to the sponson.
 15. The ground effect craft of claim 1,the lift surface comprising a flap.
 16. A craft, the assemblycomprising: a first sponson; a second sponson; a body; a first controlsystem configured to dynamically couple the body to the first sponsonand the second sponson, wherein the first lift surface is at leastpartially isolated from a movement of the first sponson; and a firstdynamic seal configured, when there is relative airflow across a firstlift surface, to maintain or increase air pressure under the first liftsurface during movement of the first sponson, wherein the dynamic sealis at least one of substantially adjacent to the first sponson or isbetween the first lift surface and the first sponson.
 17. The craft ofclaim 16, wherein the first dynamic seal comprises an end plateconfigured to entrap air beneath the first lift surface.
 18. The craftof claim 16, wherein the first dynamic seal comprises a seal configuredto move with the first sponson relative to the lift surface.
 19. Thecraft of claim 16, wherein the first dynamic seal comprises a sealconfigured to move with the first lift surface relative to the firstsponson.
 20. The craft of claim 16, wherein the first dynamic sealcomprises a membrane.
 21. The craft of claim 16, further comprising asecond lift surface connected to at least one of first sponson and thesecond sponson, wherein the second lift surface is configured to moverelative to at least one of the first sponson and the second sponson.22. The craft of claim 21, further comprising a second dynamic sealbetween the second lift surface and at least one of the first sponsonand the second sponson.
 23. The craft of claim 22, wherein the seconddynamic seal is configured to maintain or increase lift under the secondlift surface during movement of the second lift surface.
 24. The craftof claim 21, wherein the second lift surface is coupled to a secondcontrol system configured to dynamically couple the first sponson andthe second sponson.
 25. A ground effect craft comprising: a sponson; alift surface; and a dynamic seal comprising a membrane connecting thelift surface to the sponson, wherein the first dynamic seal isconfigured to maintain or increase pressure under the lift surfaceduring a movement of the sponson relative to the lift surface, whereinthe lift surface is at least partially isolated from the movement of thesponson relative to the lift surface.
 26. The ground effect craft ofclaim 25, the ground effect craft further comprising a body, wherein thebody is connected to the lift surface.
 27. The ground effect craft ofclaim 25, wherein the lift surface includes a flap, and wherein theground effect craft further comprises a second dynamic seal between theflap and the sponson.
 28. The ground effect craft of claim 25, themembrane comprising a break-away connection.
 29. The ground effect craftof claim 25, wherein the first dynamic seal further comprises anendplate, wherein the membrane is connected to the endplate.
 30. Theground effect craft of claim 25, wherein the membrane is configured,when the membrane reaches a predetermined limit of travel, to detachfrom at least one of the sponson and the lift surface.